Overview
- President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Thursday that Ukrainian units have recorded systematic speed restrictions on Starshield that limit terminals to about 161 km/h (100 mph) along the front line and in occupied areas.
- Kyiv says the cap breaks links for high‑speed interceptor and reconnaissance drones so some Russian jet‑powered strikes have got through, increasing casualties and damage near the front.
- SpaceX has denied making any new changes to Starshield while Ukraine has formally asked the U.S. government, the Pentagon, and SpaceX to explain the renewed limits.
- The reports revive a contentious attribution fight after a similar October slowdown that was later restored and reporting that suggested company or U.S. decisions played a role, and they coincide with recent U.S. envoy trips to Moscow and peace talks in Abu Dhabi.
- The episode highlights Kyiv’s reliance on commercially run military satellite layers for frontline operations and is driving calls in Kyiv and Washington for clearer control, oversight, and more resilient, sovereign communications for Ukraine.