Ukraine said SpaceX restricted Starlink services used by its military drones, disrupting several missions and hampering attack and air-defence operations. SpaceX CEO Elon Musk said the US government and military control system speeds; Ukraine said a 160 kph limit was imposed.
Ukrainian military officials said SpaceX began interrupting military-grade terminals without warning when they were moving at high speed. Presidential adviser Serhiy Beskrestnov said the restriction disrupted several missions and affected Starshield, SpaceX’s military and intelligence service. A Ukrainian Defence Ministry source said units reported guidance systems losing connections at speeds below half the 160 kph limit Beskrestnov described.
Musk, SpaceX’s CEO, said the US government controls the system’s speeds. “Any limits on speed or usage are decided by the US military and ultimately POTUS,” he wrote on X. Zelenskiy called the restriction “a big mistake” and said it could bring human losses.
Russian attacks on energy sites left about 600,000 people without power, and Zelenskiy said 30 energy facilities were damaged. Russia’s Defence Ministry said it struck four power plants in and around Kyiv and two in Kharkiv. Ukraine said it was in contact with SpaceX, the US government and NATO about the Starlink limitations.
