Overview
- President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Thursday that Ukrainian units have recorded several days of systematic speed limits on Starshield that cut terminals off above about 161 km/h and disrupted frontline operations.
- Ukrainian officials say the cap has degraded interceptor and strike‑drone performance so that some faster Russian jet‑powered drones were not intercepted and strikes have succeeded.
- Responsibility remains disputed: Elon Musk and SpaceX have previously said the U.S. controls militarized Starshield, reporting differs about a White House role, President Trump has denied ordering throttles, and SpaceX has contested some recent claims.
- The reports come as U.S. envoys traveled to Moscow after Abu Dhabi talks and prompted urgent demands from EU leaders for restoration and immediate clarification from the Pentagon and SpaceX.
- The episode highlights Ukraine’s reliance on a single commercial satellite provider, has prompted Kyiv to seek a renewed Starshield contract and raises calls in Europe and the U.S. for oversight and sovereign alternatives.