Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said the Starshield satellite internet service used by Ukrainian forces has faced renewed restrictions in recent days, this time involving new “systematic” limits.
AFP reported that Zelensky said on social media on Thursday (12 November) that "Our units have been recording significant disruptions to Starshield's operations over the territory of Ukraine for several days now."
"Systematic speed restrictions are being imposed," Zelensky said, adding they were "not random errors".
"This is helping the Russians kill more Ukrainians and carry out more accurate strikes," he added.
Zelensky said the Starshield system stops working at speeds above about 161 kilometres per hour.
He said these speed restrictions make it much harder to intercept Russian jet-powered drones, which fly far faster than the limit.
Starshield is operated by US entrepreneur Elon Musk’s SpaceX and plays a crucial role in Ukraine’s frontline communications.
Ukraine first reported problems with the Starshield service last month, when Zelensky and US President Donald J. Trump clashed over a US-Russia diesel deal.
Trump and Musk previously denied responsibility for the earlier service disruption. However, Musk later accused Ukraine of misusing SpaceX’s Starlink internet service for military purposes. Ukraine subsequently said it had regained full use of the services.
