Ukraine's Use of Starlink to Counter Shahed Missiles

Ukraine needs Starlink communications, in particular, to shoot down Shahed missiles, the president emphasized.

The US still hasn’t fully restored Starlink satellite communications in Ukraine . However, terminal speed restrictions are gradually being lifted. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced this during a press briefing .

A man in a black polo shirt gestures with his hands, standing in front of blue and yellow flags in a formal setting.

The president also explained that Ukraine is using Starlink communications to counter Shahed missiles. According to the president, communications from this system are also used by interceptor drones.

“We use special interceptors that travel at high speed using Starlink. Starlink wasn’t shut down, but its speed was reduced. And when that was done, we weren’t able to shoot down a certain number of Shahed missiles. That means we weren’t able to use our civilian defense tool. This is very painful. The Shahed missiles were flying at 400 kilometers or more. And ours were reduced to 70,” the president emphasized.

At the same time, the president announced that Ukraine is not working on creating a Starlink analogue, but is instead trying to obtain one from its European partners:

“We are working with some countries, including France, to have additional capabilities.”

Zelenskyy also commented on the issue of intelligence from the United States. According to the president, Ukraine uses intelligence from dozens of other countries. However, it is Washington that provides the data that helps save lives.

“We receive ballistic data from the United States. There are many challenges here related to ballistics. But we are working on every possible way to ensure Ukraine is as independent as possible,” the president said.

What preceded this?

Earlier, Sergey “Flash” Beskrestnov, Advisor to the President for Technological Innovation in the Armed Forces of Ukraine, announced a speed limitation for Starlink in Ukraine . According to him, the discussion then concerned limiting the speed at which the terminal could move through space and continue operating.

Military expert Pavlo Narozhny emphasized that Ukraine depends on Starlink in several ways . Specifically, he said, it impacts Ukraine’s mid-strikes, the use of unmanned boats, and the operation of reconnaissance drones.

(C)UNIAN 2026