SpaceX overnight imposed speed restrictions on Starlink terminals used by Ukrainian forces, limiting connectivity to devices traveling faster than 100 mph (160 km/h), according to Serhiy Beskrestnov, an adviser to President Volodymyr Zelensky. The restrictions have disrupted Ukraine's drone operations, particularly for interceptor and strike drones that rely on the satellite network to engage Russian targets. A Ukrainian defence ministry source confirmed to the BBC that the connectivity loss occurs when vehicles or assets exceed the 160 km/h threshold, degrading capabilities for front-line logistics, reconnaissance and signal relaying.
Beskrestnov said Ukraine was not informed of the speed limits before they were implemented. He asserted that the move "cannot be a coincidence and is related to the current political situation," though SpaceX has not commented on the restrictions or their timing.
The speed restrictions come as Russian forces conducted a fresh wave of overnight strikes across Ukraine. At least 600,000 people lost electricity after the attacks, according to Zelensky. Russia's defence ministry said it launched 39 ballistic and cruise missiles and 128 drones overnight. Ukraine's air force reported intercepting 4 missiles and 115 drones. At least nine people were killed in Kyiv and the north-western city of Lutsk, with critical energy infrastructure hit in Kyiv, the capital region and the north-eastern city of Kharkiv.
Zelensky claimed that the United States threatened to restrict intelligence sharing if he did not agree to a proposed "energy ceasefire" that President Donald Trump announced on Sunday. Trump denied on Tuesday that the US was withholding intelligence. Ukraine says it is ready to halt strikes on Russian oil refineries and energy facilities if Russia does the same. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov rejected the ceasefire proposal, arguing that a truce would allow Europe to supply Ukraine with additional weapons.
Starlink has become integral to Ukrainian military operations since Russia's 2022 invasion. In February, Musk's decision to deny Russian forces access to Starlink contributed to Moscow's battlefield confusion. Ukraine currently relies on US satellite systems to track incoming Russian missiles, though residents reported receiving no air raid warnings before overnight strikes struck Kyiv on two consecutive nights.