SpaceX Limits Starlink Speed for Ukraine, Disrupting Drone Missions
Ukraine says SpaceX imposed a speed cap on military-grade Starlink terminals without warning, cutting connectivity for fast-moving drones and vehicles as Russian missiles pounded energy sites.
SpaceX imposed a speed cap on the military-grade Starlink terminals Ukraine relies on, and Kyiv says it received no warning. Serhii Beskrestnov, the Ukrainian president's defense-technology adviser, said the limit was applied overnight and led to “the disruption of a number of missions.”
The cap affects Starlink terminals traveling faster than 100 miles per hour. At that speed, drones, planes and helicopters lose connectivity. A Ukrainian military source told CNN the “complications are substantial.” Ukraine's forces use Starlink for frontline logistics, communications and reconnaissance, as well as long-range drone strikes — including the interceptor drones used to counter Russian Shahed drones.
“Our defense forces were not warned about this restriction,” Beskrestnov wrote on Telegram. “It is clear that this action cannot be a coincidence and is related to the current political situation.” A Ukrainian defense ministry source told CNN the Armed Forces learned of the speed limit from SpaceX customer support only after filing a complaint about operational issues. The ministry says it is in contact with the United States, SpaceX and NATO allies and is testing backup communication channels. CNN said it reached out to the White House, the Pentagon and SpaceX for comment.
The change came days after Elon Musk publicly criticized Kyiv's strikes on Russian fuel facilities. On Saturday, Musk wrote on X that “Zelensky has gone too far.” On Sunday he added: “I agree, time for Ukraine to get a new leader.” President Trump has separately pressed Ukraine to stop striking Russian energy targets and last week announced a deal to import Russian diesel following a call with Vladimir Putin.
Poland pays about $50 million a year for Ukraine's Starlink access. Its foreign minister, Radoslaw Sikorski, responded on Wednesday: “Hey, @elonmusk, big man, are you playing politics with your products again? As your European customers, we are watching you.”
The outage coincided with a new Russian bombardment. Russia launched 39 ballistic missiles and more than 120 drones at Ukrainian energy infrastructure overnight, leaving some 600,000 people without power, according to Zelensky. He called the attack “entirely deliberate” and accused Russia of “demonstrative disrespect” toward the United States, coming days after Trump announced an energy ceasefire.
Ukraine's Starlink contract runs through May 15, 2027. Kyiv says it has contacted SpaceX for an explanation.
