Key facts
- Ukraine's military has faced restrictions on SpaceX's Starshield system, affecting drones and air defense.
- Speed limitations on Starshield remain in place, according to Ukrainian sources.
- Starshield receivers are used for guidance systems and remote piloting of drones, especially behind Russian lines.
- The speed restriction affects drones moving faster than 160 km/h (100 mph).
- Disputes over who ordered the curtailment involve SpaceX, the White House, and the US military.
Ukraine's military has been impacted by restrictions on Starshield, the military version of SpaceX's Starlink satellite communications system, with receivers failing on fast-moving objects like drones. This has jeopardized some combat and air defense missions. While US President Donald Trump announced that SpaceX boss Elon Musk had restored services, Ukrainian defense and military sources stated on Friday that speed restrictions on Starshield remained in place. Ukraine uses Starlink for frontline communications and Starshield for specialized military purposes, including drone guidance systems and links to remote pilots. The limitation cuts off Starshield when moving faster than 160 kilometers per hour (100 mph), hindering drones used for strikes deep inside Ukraine and high-speed interceptors. Disputes over who ordered the curtailment involve SpaceX, the White House, and the US military, with conflicting reports suggesting orders came from either the White House or Musk personally.