KYIV, Ukraine – Ukraine has reported disruptions to frontline military operations after SpaceX introduced a reported speed limit of 160 kilometres per hour on some Starlink terminals, affecting drones and other military assets that rely on the satellite internet service.
Serhiy Beskrestnov, an adviser to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, said Kyiv had not been informed in advance of the restrictions, which he said were already disrupting military missions.
In a post on Telegram on Wednesday, Beskrestnov said SpaceX had implemented the speed limit overnight, adding that the move had affected several operations.
He also suggested the timing could be linked to the prevailing political situation, although he did not provide evidence for the claim. SpaceX had not publicly commented on the reported restrictions.
Starlink has become a critical communications tool for Ukraine’s military, helping operators guide drones, coordinate frontline activities and support efforts to intercept Russian aerial threats.
Ukraine Says Fast-Moving Drones Lose Starlink Connection
A source in Ukraine’s Defence Ministry told the BBC that the military detected restrictions affecting Starlink connectivity at speeds above 160 kilometres per hour.
The source said the cause of the problem was still being investigated.
Other defence ministry sources told the BBC that Starlink terminals lost their connection once a vehicle or military asset exceeded the reported threshold.
They said the disruption was affecting interceptor drones and medium-strike drones, while also degrading frontline logistics, reconnaissance and signal-relaying capabilities.
Beskrestnov described Starlink as the most effective tool available to support interceptor drones targeting Russia’s newer jet-powered drones.
The reported restrictions could therefore complicate Ukraine’s efforts to use fast-moving unmanned systems in its air defence operations.
Russian Strikes Leave Hundreds Of Thousands Without Power
The reported Starlink disruption came as Russian missile and drone attacks hit Ukrainian cities and energy infrastructure.
Zelensky said at least 600,000 people were left without electricity following overnight strikes. He said critical energy infrastructure had been damaged in Kyiv and the surrounding region, as well as in the north-eastern city of Kharkiv.
Local officials said three people were killed in Kyiv.
Ukraine’s air force said Russia launched 39 ballistic and cruise missiles and 128 drones during the latest overnight attack. It reported shooting down four missiles and 115 drones.
The attacks marked the second consecutive night that Kyiv had been targeted by Russian missiles. Ukrainian officials said ballistic missiles had struck the capital on both nights before air-raid sirens could be activated.
Ukraine relies on US satellite systems to help track incoming Russian missiles, issue warnings and support air defence efforts.
Russia’s Defence Ministry, meanwhile, said its forces had shot down 902 Ukrainian drones overnight across several Russian regions, including Moscow and Crimea, the peninsula Russia annexed in 2014.
Starlink Restrictions Follow Earlier Dispute Over Russian Access
The latest development follows earlier restrictions on Russian forces’ access to Starlink.
In February, Elon Musk’s decision to deny Russian forces access to the service reportedly disrupted their communications and contributed to confusion among Russian commanders.
Starlink, operated by Musk’s SpaceX, has played an important role in communications on both sides of the conflict, although its use and availability have been subject to changing restrictions.
The latest reported speed limit has raised concerns in Kyiv over the impact on military systems that depend on a continuous satellite connection while moving at high speeds.
Energy Ceasefire Dispute Adds To Tensions
The Starlink issue comes amid disagreements over a proposed pause in attacks on energy infrastructure.
US President Donald Trump said on Sunday that an energy ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine was effective immediately and that both sides had agreed to it.
Zelensky has since said Ukraine was prepared to halt attacks on Russian oil refineries and other energy facilities if Moscow did the same.
However, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said Ukraine did not deserve the respite a ceasefire would provide. He argued that a pause would allow European countries to supply Ukraine with additional weapons.
Zelensky has also said Washington threatened to restrict intelligence sharing if Kyiv did not agree to Trump’s proposed energy ceasefire. Trump denied on Tuesday that the United States was withholding intelligence.
The Ukrainian president was due to meet UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham at Downing Street on Wednesday to discuss accelerating air defence supplies to Ukraine.
Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022 and currently controls about one-fifth of Ukrainian territory.
With Kyiv reporting fresh attacks on energy infrastructure and disruption to Starlink-dependent military operations, the impact of the reported speed restrictions remains under investigation.
