Starlink powers Ukraine's war effort

SpaceX's Starlink satellites provide high-speed internet that Ukraine uses as a vital battlefield communications tool and for drone warfare operations across naval, land and air forces.

Drones gain advantage over radio networks

Using Starlink, Ukrainian drones maintain stronger connections with operators over longer distances than conventional radio networks and are less vulnerable to jamming by Russian forces.

SpaceX imposes sudden speed limits

SpaceX set overnight 100 mile per hour speed limits on Tuesday on drones connected to Starlink without warning Ukrainian officials, disrupting some battlefield missions according to adviser Serhiy Beskrestnov.

Restrictions make interceptors nearly useless

The Institute for the Study of War says throttling at one hundred mile per hour makes Ukrainian efforts to intercept jet-powered Russian Shaheds all but useless, as those drones fly at speeds in excess of…

Beskrestnov links limits to US tensions

Serhiy Beskrestnov, Zelensky's adviser, says he believes the restrictions are not coincidental and are related to latest strains between Kyiv and Washington over Ukraine's long-range strikes on Russian oil refineries.

Musk says US military controls Starshield

Elon Musk posted that Starshield systems are owned and controlled by the US government, with speed limits decided by the US military, while Starlink is commercial and restricted to civilian or defensive activities.

“Starshield systems are owned and controlled by the US government. Any limits on speed or usage are decided by the US military and ultimately POTUS.”