Satellite speed caps complicate Ukrainian drone defense during peace talks

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky stated on Thursday that new limitations on the Starshield satellite network are directly aiding Russian military operations. He argued that the restrictions allow Moscow to execute more precise strikes and increase casualties among Ukrainian soldiers.

Zelensky described the interference as systematic rather than random. His military units recorded disruptions across the entire front line and in Russian-occupied territories over the previous several days. The service is the military-grade version of SpaceX's Starlink and serves as a primary communication channel for frontline troops.

The specific restriction involves a speed cap on the systems. Zelensky noted that Starshield stops functioning effectively above 100 miles per hour. This technical limit creates a major problem for intercepting Russian jet-powered drones, which travel much faster than that threshold.

The issue stems from a dispute that began last month. Tensions rose after a disagreement between Zelensky and US President Donald Trump regarding a US-Russia diesel deal. While Trump and Elon Musk initially denied causing the outages, Musk later accused Ukraine of using the commercial Starlink service for military purposes before access was reportedly restored.

The timing coincides with active diplomatic efforts to end the conflict, which has lasted almost five years. US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner are currently in Moscow meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin. These talks follow two days of negotiations in Abu Dhabi aimed at securing a peace deal.

Zelensky said Ukraine is working with the American side to determine the exact circumstances behind the slowdowns. He emphasized that the disruptions are not minor technical glitches but operational barriers that affect the war effort on the ground.