Germany Pays for Ukraine’s Starlink—Now Berlin Wants the Speed Limits Gone

Germany has called for speed restrictions affecting Starlink service in Ukraine to be lifted, stressing that Berlin itself finances part of the satellite communications equipment used by the country, German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul said, according to ntv on October 16.

“These restrictions must be lifted,” Wadephul said.

The German foreign minister noted that Germany pays for part of Ukraine’s Starlink infrastructure and therefore expects the service to remain fully operational.

“And therefore, of course, we insist that it works if we are paying for it. Ukraine must continue to receive full support,” Wadephul said.

His comments follow reports that speed limits were introduced for Starlink and its military-focused StarShield service in Ukraine, affecting connectivity on fast-moving platforms and complicating some Ukrainian military operations.

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Wadephul said Berlin still does not have “the full picture” of why the restrictions were imposed.

Germany has questions for the United States over the issue, he added, “which we will clarify.”

Previously, reports emerged that Ukrainian forces have been forced to cancel drone missions after new restrictions on SpaceX’s Starlink satellite communications disrupted connections during flight.

In addition, Ukraine risks losing one of its few effective defenses against Russian jet-powered Shahed drones following new restrictions on Starlink satellite communications.

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