SpaceX Speed Limit Disrupts Ukrainian Military Missions

SpaceX imposed a speed restriction on Starshield satellite terminals used by Ukrainian forces, disrupting some military missions, according to Ukrainian officials. They said the change took effect overnight without warning and affected terminals in motion. The cause and full scope of the restriction remain under investigation. Presidential adviser Serhiy Beskrestnov said the limit applied to terminals moving faster than about 160 kilometers per hour, or 100 miles per hour. Ukraine’s 7th Rapid Reaction Corps reported that connections dropped for 10 to 20 seconds during flights at 110 to 120 kilometers per hour, making drones harder to control and leading units to cancel some missions. The accounts describe reported interruptions below the threshold Beskrestnov cited. A source in Ukraine’s Defence Ministry said the restrictions complicated logistics and drone operations, and that officials were investigating what caused them. The corps’ observations and Beskrestnov’s account have not been independently verified in the material provided. Activist Serhii Sternenko, citing military reports, also said connection failures were occurring at 60 to 70 kilometers per hour.