Ukraine faced new restrictions on satellite connectivity that affected its military operations, particularly the use of drones against Russian attacks. Elon Musk stated that the limitations were imposed by the U.S. government, not by SpaceX, which provides the satellite systems. The restrictions impacted both Starlink, for civilian and defensive use, and Starshield, intended for military applications. On Tuesday night, Ukraine learned that neither system could connect to data from objects traveling over 100 miles per hour, according to a source familiar with the situation.
Serhii Beskrestnov, an adviser to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, confirmed that the speed limit for Starshield services disrupted several military missions. He noted that the action seemed politically motivated. Ukrainian Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov emphasized the importance of Starshield connections for Ukraine's defense and indicated that efforts were underway to restore high-speed access.
Musk claimed on social media that the Starshield systems are ultimately controlled by the U.S. government, stating, "Any limits on speed or usage are decided by the U.S. military and ultimately POTUS." The White House, Pentagon, and SpaceX did not comment on the matter. Ukrainian officials were reportedly not informed in advance about the limitations, learning about them only after filing a complaint.
The restrictions reportedly hinder the operation of UAVs and other aircraft, affecting Ukraine's defense capabilities at a critical time. Some U.S. lawmakers expressed concern over the implications of these restrictions, with Senator Thom Tillis questioning whether such actions could be seen as aiding Russia.
The timing of the Starshield changes coincided with reports that U.S. intelligence sharing with Ukraine had decreased, raising alarms among bipartisan lawmakers who criticized the potential risks to civilians and U.S. citizens in Ukraine.
As of Wednesday afternoon, a source indicated that the signal quality was improving slightly, but not to the previous levels. Ukraine is seeking to restore its unlimited access to Starshield, which is part of a service agreement with the U.S. government that began in November 2025 and is set to continue through May 2027.
In related developments, Russia targeted energy infrastructure in Ukraine amid the satellite connectivity issues. Earlier, Trump denied allegations of withholding intelligence essential for Ukraine's defense, despite ongoing tensions related to Russian military actions. Zelenskyy expressed disappointment over Trump's recent dealings with Russia, stating that Ukraine feels abandoned by a key ally.