Ukraine seeks to lift military satellite speed limit affecting drone operations

Ukraine is in discussions with SpaceX and the Pentagon to lift a speed limit imposed on its military satellite communication service, according to an adviser to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, as reported by the Associated Press via pressdemocrat.com.

The speed cap was implemented without warning early Thursday and restricts internet data connections when a communication terminal moves faster than 100 mph, a speed commonly reached by Ukrainian drones using Starshield, the military version of SpaceX's Starlink satellite service.

This restriction forced Ukrainian drones to fly slower than usual, making them more vulnerable to Russian weapons, said Serhii Beskrestnov, a defense technology adviser to Zelenskyy. He noted that the issue is not only technical or business-related but also political.

SpaceX founder Elon Musk stated that the U.S. government controls Starshield, with decisions about its use resting with the American military and ultimately the President. Former President Donald Trump denied ordering any restrictions and expressed doubt that Musk was responsible.

The Pentagon has not responded to questions about the speed limit. The incident adds to already strained relations between Kyiv and Washington, which have been affected by other disputes including a controversial diesel import deal and concerns over intelligence sharing.

The speed restriction has disrupted front-line operations and increased Ukraine's exposure to faster Russian drones, highlighting the operational impact of the limitation on Ukraine's military capabilities.