StarShield speed restriction disrupts Ukrainian missions

SpaceX restricted the speed of terminals using StarShield, its military service, in Ukraine overnight, disrupting several military missions, according to Ukrainian presidential adviser Serhiy Beskrestnov. He said the change took effect without warning Ukrainian forces and affected terminals moving faster than about 160 kilometers per hour, or 100 miles per hour. Beskrestnov, an adviser to President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on military technology, said the restriction had caused mission disruptions. The 7th Rapid Reaction Corps also confirmed Starlink disruptions. It said connections could drop for 10 to 20 seconds at speeds of 110 to 120 kilometers per hour, making drones harder to control. The corps’ account describes interruptions at speeds below the reported 160-kilometer-per-hour threshold. The Ukrainian Defense Ministry was still verifying the reported threshold and investigating the cause, ministry sources said. The reports specifically described restrictions affecting StarShield, rather than all Starlink service. Ukrainian activist Serhii Sternenko said standard Starlink terminals continued to function.