Overview
- President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Saturday that Starlink terminals in Ukraine cut out above about 161 km/h, which Ukrainian commanders say prevents their use on fast interceptor drones that shoot down Shahed-type attacks.
- Ukraine’s diplomatic mission in Washington says it has not yet received confirmation from the Pentagon or SpaceX that the speed limits have been removed and therefore cannot verify full restoration of Starshield capabilities.
- U.S. officials, including Secretary of State Marco Rubio, have denied ordering a slowdown and say Starshield is a separate U.S. military package that is not currently available to Ukraine.
- Russian forces have stepped up strikes on Ukrainian energy and civilian infrastructure this week, Ukrainian officials report dozens of hits and civilian casualties, while overnight drone attacks struck targets inside Russia and Lithuania foiled an attempt to set fire to a site storing Starlink equipment.
- The restrictions have immediate military and humanitarian effects by reducing some Ukrainian units’ ability to intercept drones and by complicating frontline and infrastructure protection, and Kyiv says restored unrestricted service and more air-defence support from partners are needed to reduce civilian harm.