Ukraine's defense ministry announced that access to the Starshield satellite system was restored after a sudden restriction disabled drones moving over 100 mph.

Ukraine’s defense ministry stated that its access to SpaceX’s Starshield satellite communications system has been restored and is operating normally. This follows a sudden restriction imposed on Tuesday night that cut communications for drones moving at speeds greater than 100 mph, effectively rendering many Ukrainian offensive and defensive drones inoperable. The development occurred amid reported tensions between Kyiv and the US administration regarding drone strikes on Russian oil refineries.

Impact of Speed Restrictions

The restriction automatically severed the link between drone operators and aircraft exceeding 100 mph, a speed considered routine for Ukrainian operations. This hampered air defense systems attempting to intercept Russian Shahed drones, which fly at speeds close to 200 mph, and disabled mid-range drones used for strikes behind frontlines. Long-range missions targeting Russian oil refineries did not rely on Starlink for these specific operations.

Official Responses and Context

Elon Musk stated on X that Starshield is controlled by the US government and that limits on speed or usage are decided by the US military and ultimately the president. The White House and Pentagon did not directly comment on the restriction. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy accused SpaceX of restricting access in a manner that hobbled Ukrainian capabilities, framing the shift as a betrayal by Donald Trump. Zelenskyy also told the Financial Times that he is resuming attacks on Russian oil refineries, a move President Trump had previously asked him to avoid.