SpaceX Limits Ukraine Starlink Access, Disrupting Combat Drone Operations

Ukrainian officials were enraged Wednesday after Elon Musk’s SpaceX limited Kyiv’s access to its Starlink satellite service without warning, disrupting combat drone operations while Russian forces launched a fresh round of attacks on civilian targets.

SpaceX introduced a speed limit for Starlink terminals in motion, capping the velocity of Ukrainian drones at 100 miles per hour (160 km/h). Presidential adviser Serhiy Beskrestnov complained on Telegram that Ukraine’s defense forces did not receive a warning about this limitation, leading to the disruption of several missions. He warned that this makes the operation of UAVs, airplanes, and helicopters at high speeds impossible, impacting efforts to counter Russian Shahed drones and affecting defense operations and logistics.

Ukraine’s 7th Rapid Reaction Corps, deployed in the southeast, reported connections dropping for 10-20 seconds at speeds of 110-120 km/h, forcing units to cancel some missions. A source in Ukraine’s Ministry of Defense confirmed the unilateral restriction on Starshield ("military package") terminals while in motion. The Starlink restrictions coincided with Russia launching ballistic missiles at Ukraine without any advance warning from the US for a second night.

Col Yurii Ihnat, a spokesperson for the air force, stated Ukraine did not receive any warning before Russia launched its first barrage of ballistic missiles on Tuesday evening, though it received warnings from foreign partners about three subsequent barrages. Ukraine’s military has long relied on Starlink access for battlefield communications and drone operations, with Poland paying some $50 million per year for the service.

Elon Musk’s network has been the backbone of Ukraine’s front-line communications since 2022. The move comes as Kyiv’s relationship with Washington has worsened since US President Donald Trump abruptly lifted sanctions on Russian diesel last week and publicly criticized Zelensky. Trump has pressured Kyiv to halt attacks on Russian energy targets, citing spiking global energy prices, and suggested Ukrainians should select a new leader.