Zelenskyy says Starlink speed limits in Ukraine are a ‘planned operation’
News Source
•Sat, 17 Oct 2026 12:53:53 GMT
📰 What Happened
Ukraine's president, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, says Starlink internet in his country is being slowed on purpose. He told reporters on Saturday that terminals cut out once they move faster than about 160km/h. That breaks the link to drones in flight.
Zelenskyy said test units used in EU countries kept working above 180km/h. "The restrictions apply on Ukrainian territory, but they do not apply in EU countries," he said. "This means it is a planned operation."
🔍 The Backstory
Reports of limits appeared on 14 October and hit Starshield, the military version of Starlink used by Ukrainian troops. Soldiers use the links to fly interceptor drones that chase Russian Shahed drones, and to send supplies to the front.
Zelenskyy called the slowdown "a big mistake" and appealed to Elon Musk. Musk said the US government, not his company, ordered the limits. Kyiv says the interceptors cannot work while the cap stays.
🎯 Why It Matters
The cap weakens Ukraine's air defences, so a satellite service owned by a US firm now shapes how the war goes.
Ukraine's president, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, says Starlink internet in his country is being slowed on purpose. He told reporters on Saturday that terminals cut out once they move faster than about 160km/h. That breaks the link to drones in flight.
Zelenskyy said test units used in EU countries kept working above 180km/h. "The restrictions apply on Ukrainian territory, but they do not apply in EU countries," he said. "This means it is a planned operation."
Reports of limits appeared on 14 October and hit Starshield, the military version of Starlink used by Ukrainian troops. Soldiers use the links to fly interceptor drones that chase Russian Shahed drones, and to send supplies to the front.
Zelenskyy called the slowdown "a big mistake" and appealed to Elon Musk. Musk said the US government, not his company, ordered the limits. Kyiv says the interceptors cannot work while the cap stays.
The cap weakens Ukraine's air defences, so a satellite service owned by a US firm now shapes how the war goes.