# Zelenskyy: Starlink curbs are Putin's planned operation

> Ukraine's president says satellite restrictions hampering drone defences are deliberate, as Russia attacks energy infrastructure and the US eases sanctions.
- Title: Zelenskyy: Starlink curbs are Putin's planned operation
- Summary: Ukraine's president says satellite restrictions hampering drone defences are deliberate, as Russia attacks energy infrastructure and the US eases sanctions…
- Keywords: volodymyr zelenskyy, starlink, spacex, ukraine, russia, shahed drones, energy infrastructure, donald trump, sanctions, govsatcom, iris2, politics
- Source: POLITICO — https://politico.eu/article/volodymyr-zelenskyy-says-vladimir-putin-looking-cause-ukraine-wide-blackout
- Published: 2026-10-17T12:23:48+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: volodymyr zelenskyy, starlink, spacex, ukraine, russia, shahed drones, energy infrastructure, donald trump, sanctions, govsatcom, iris2, politics
## Starlink blocked at high speeds in Ukraine
The satellite service operated by Elon Musk's SpaceX is deactivated in Ukraine at speeds over one hundred sixty kilometres per hour, preventing some Ukrainian drones from intercepting high-speed Shahed drones used by Russia.
## Zelenskyy: this is a planned operation
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy says the restrictions are deliberate. Ukraine tested Starlink-equipped vehicles in EU countries at speeds over one hundred eighty kilometres per hour and found it worked there.

> The restrictions are in effect in Ukraine, but they are not in effect in European Union countries. So, this is a planned operation.
## Ukraine seeks alternatives to Starlink
The European Union is under pressure to provide Ukraine with alternatives.Negotiations over access to the bloc's Govsatcom program have stalled.The EU's planned IRIS2 network is only expected to come online in two thousand thirty.
## Russia strikes energy infrastructure
Russia carried out strikes on Ukraine's energy sector with more than three hundred twenty jet-powered Shahed drones, loitering munitions, cruise and ballistic missiles. Power was reportedly cut for about one million people.
## Trump waives Russia sanctions as winter looms
US President Donald Trump signed an executive order waiving key sanctions on Russia.Zelenskyy says this encourages Russian President Vladimir Putin to keep striking and ignores a bill that could pressure Russia to end the war.

> An American sanctions blackout, easing pressure on the aggressor, monetary rewards for Putin: all of this only encourages him to keep striking.
## Key takeaway

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy says Starlink speed restrictions in Ukraine are a planned operation, preventing drones from intercepting Russian Shahed drones, while Russia strikes energy infrastructure and the US waives sanctions on Moscow.