SpaceX restricts Starlink for Ukrainian military, disrupting combat missions
SpaceX imposed restrictions on Starlink connectivity for terminals being used in moving vehicles overnight on 13-14 October, disrupting Ukrainian military operations.
Source: Serhii "Flash" Beskrestnov, an adviser to the president and radio technology expert
Quote: "I can confirm that tonight SpaceX introduced a speed limit for Starlink terminals operating in motion. The restriction currently applies to the Starshield military service package and is set at 100 mph [approx. 161 km/h – ed.]."
Details: Beskrestnov noted that Ukraine's defence forces had not been warned in advance about the restriction. As a result, he said, a number of combat missions have been disrupted.
"It is obvious that this action cannot be a coincidence and is linked to the current political situation," he added.
The expert confirmed information previously reported by Ukrainian volunteer Serhii Sternenko about restrictions on Starlink operations.
Sternenko previously reported that Starlink connectivity began dropping out overnight on 13-14 October when terminals exceeded speeds of 160 km/h. He also said that standard Starlink terminals continue to function.
Sternenko suggested that SpaceX may have introduced the restriction at the request of US President Donald Trump's administration.
The Exilenova+ Telegram channel also reported overnight that its readers had flagged up restrictions on Starlink along the line of contact.
Update: Sternenko later reports that Ukrainian military personnel are saying restrictions on the use of Starlink terminals have been tightened further. Connectivity now begins to drop out at speeds of 60-70 km/h.
Update at 11:25: Ukraine's 7th Air Assault Corps also reported that problems with Starlink linked to data transfer speed restrictions began emerging overnight.
"Based on our observations, during UAV flights, the connection could be lost for 10-20 seconds at speeds of just 110-120 km/h. The drones continued moving, but these interruptions made them more difficult to control," the military said.
The corps said reduced data transfer speeds leave drones more vulnerable to being hit, while unstable connections could make it impossible to launch high-speed drones, including mid-range ones. Since the beginning of the day, one unmanned systems unit operating on the Huliaipole front has had to cancel some missions due to connectivity issues.
Update at 12:05: Beskrestnov later also noted that Starlink is used in interceptor drones designed to counter jet-powered Shaheds. He added that "in effect, by taking these steps, our partners are depriving us of one of the few options we have for defending the country against jet-powered Shaheds".
Background: Ukrainian company Stetman is working on its own UASAT-NANO satellite communications system. The project is intended to reduce the defence forces' dependence on Starlink.
Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon to help us keep reporting!