Zelensky alleges Starlink limits target Ukraine

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Oct. 17 that Starlink connections in Ukraine cut out above about 160 to 161 kilometers per hour, while Ukrainian tests in the European Union found connections still working above 180 kilometers per hour. He called the difference evidence of a planned operation, but the supplied reports do not independently establish the cause or who imposed the restrictions. Zelensky said Ukraine tested two vehicles carrying Starlink equipment in EU territory and had logs to support the results. He said the limits were affecting military systems used by Ukrainian forces, including interceptor drones. The reports describe Starshield as the military version of Starlink; Ukraine also uses Starlink, a civilian service. According to Zelensky, Starlink-equipped interceptor drones could not maintain the connections needed to engage some Russian jet-powered Shahed drones. He said Ukraine was relying more on fighter aircraft to intercept them. In remarks reported on Oct. 16, he also said restrictions had disrupted drone deliveries of food and water to troops on the frontline. The accounts attribute the test results and their operational effects to Zelensky;...