Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has contradicted US President Donald Trump’s assurance that SpaceX restored Ukraine’s access to satellite communication systems, saying Starlink speed restrictions in Ukraine remain in place. He also said Kyiv is still waiting for agreed missile interceptors needed to defend against Russian ballistic missile attacks.
“The speed limits on Starlink and Starshield are still there. The speed has not been restored,” Zelenskyy said, describing the restrictions as a serious concern while Russian attacks continue.
Trump said on Friday that SpaceX chief executive Elon Musk had restored Ukraine’s access to the systems. He added that he would speak to Musk if any problems persisted. Ukrainian officials, however, maintained that the restrictions had not been lifted.
Despite the difficulties, Zelenskyy said Ukrainian forces continued to hold their frontline positions and carry out operations successfully.
How Starlink Restrictions Affect Ukrainian Forces
Ukraine relies heavily on Starlink, SpaceX’s satellite internet service, to maintain communications between military units and coordinate battlefield operations. Starshield, a related system designed for government and defence applications, also supports military communications.
According to Ukrainian officials, speed restrictions introduced on October 13 disrupted connections for drones travelling faster than 160 kilometres per hour, or approximately 100 miles per hour.
The limitations have reportedly affected certain Ukrainian strike missions and efforts to intercept Russian drones. These problems are particularly significant when Ukrainian forces face faster, jet-powered unmanned aircraft.
Starlink connectivity has become an important part of Ukraine’s battlefield infrastructure, making changes to access and network performance a potential operational challenge.
Dispute Over Who Ordered the Restrictions
The restrictions have also triggered disagreement over who authorised the slowdown.
Reports have attributed the decision to different sources, including the White House and Musk personally. However, neither Musk nor the US government has publicly accepted responsibility for imposing the restrictions.
Musk has said Starshield is owned and controlled by the US government, with decisions about its speed and use made by the US military and ultimately the president.
Trump has denied involvement in the slowdown, while US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has said decisions concerning Ukraine’s access to Starlink rest with SpaceX and Musk.
Ukraine Awaits Missile Interceptors
Alongside the connectivity dispute, Zelenskyy said Ukraine was still waiting for missile interceptors agreed for its defence against Russian ballistic missile attacks.
He stressed that the delays were particularly concerning because Russian attacks continued almost daily.
The combination of satellite connectivity restrictions and delayed defensive equipment highlights the challenges facing Kyiv as it seeks to sustain military operations and protect its cities. The disagreement also underscores the importance of continued coordination between Ukraine and its Western partners.
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