KYIV: Ukraine has reported Starlink restrictions and disruptions affecting satellite links its armed forces use for communications and drone operations.
Ukrainian media accounts cited by Deutsche Welle describe a temporary limit that affects terminals moving faster than about 160 kilometres per hour. Some Ukrainian drones travel at up to 300 kilometres per hour.
SpaceX founder Elon Musk has distinguished between the company’s commercial Starlink service and its military counterpart, Starshield. He said the US government controls Starshield, while SpaceX operates Starlink commercially.
Although both services share underlying technology, they serve different users. SpaceX describes Starshield as a system for government and national security applications.
Ukraine has used Starlink extensively since Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022. Its terminals allow troops to exchange orders and battlefield information when damaged infrastructure or failed mobile networks cut conventional connections.
Read: Russia Develops “Kalinka” to Counter Starlink and Ukraine’s Defense
Around 50,000 terminals were in use in Ukraine in 2025, according to the Center for Security Studies at ETH Zurich. Alongside ground communications, satellite links carry live footage from aerial, naval and ground drones.
They also transmit information about Russian positions to artillery units. If a drone loses its connection, operators can lose live video and real-time control. Restrictions on moving terminals could therefore affect fast aircraft even when slower units retain access.
Read: Elon Musk Comments on the Russia-Ukraine Conflict as Avdiivka Falls to Russian Forces
Separately, Ukraine receives reconnaissance information from Western partners to identify targets and plan routes. Satellite communications allow military units to share that information quickly.
