Ukraine's Starlink Signal Restrictions: A Planned Operation?

Ukraine tested the Starlink signal during interceptor missile launches in EU countries and found no restrictions.

Speed restrictions for military Starlink satellite communications terminals are a planned operation against Ukraine.

As reported by a UNIAN correspondent, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced this during an online briefing on WhatsApp. The head of state noted that satellite communications via Starlink terminals are crucial for communications within Ukraine, both at the front and for the civilian population.

According to him, Starlink is used in Ukraine for drones and to deliver food and water to Ukrainian defenders in combat positions. “And this is very important: to reach places where soldiers or equipment cannot reach, where there is isolation due to enemy drone control. And such an opportunity simply does not exist today,” Zelenskyy said.

At the same time, the Ukrainian Defense Forces are using some Starlink-equipped interceptor drones to intercept high-speed enemy Shahed-class jets. “Of course, and thank God, thanks to our air defense, our engineers, and partner assets, we are using not only interceptor drones against Shahed-class jets, but also aircraft, missiles, and other air defense assets,” Zelenskyy added.Read also:

Ukrainian Shahed interceptors are inoperable without a Starlink signal.

“Our interceptors are not operating today to intercept the Shahed high-speed jet drone and other jet drones due to speed restrictions,” Zelensky said.

He explained that the interceptors’ current maximum speed is 161 km/h due to signal limitations. Consequently, this speed is insufficient to shoot down Russian jet-powered drones. After all, if an interceptor were to attempt to accelerate to a higher speed, Starlink would shut down, and the Ukrainian drone would be lost.

How Ukraine checked whether this was a planned speed limiting operation.

“To understand whether these are truly technical problems at SpaceX, or whether this is some kind of operation, or an agreement to restrict us—to shut us down, to prevent us from defending ourselves and protecting our people, both at the front and as civilians—we sent a couple of Starlink-equipped vehicles to the territory of European Union countries, and they flew where permitted, at speeds of 180 km/h and higher, and Starlink is working,” Zelensky said.

In particular, Ukraine has recorded the relevant facts – there is relevant evidence.

“The conclusion is this: the restrictions apply in Ukraine, but not in EU countries. This means this is a planned operation,” Zelensky emphasized.

Space X is not responding to inquiries from the Ukrainian military.

As the head of state added, Ukraine is conducting dialogue at the military level, the Ministry of Defense level, and at the diplomatic level regarding Starlink and Starshield.

“We’re contacting everyone, including SpaceX—our military. No one’s responding to the Ministry of Defense right now. And at various levels, they’re saying these are technical issues,” Zelenskyy said.

He reiterated that these technical problems are being recorded on the territory of Ukraine, but there are no such problems on the territory of the European Union.

Zelensky expresses hope that the signal will be restored at the required speed: