Starshield Restrictions Let Russian Shahed Drones Fly Deeper Into Ukraine, Zelenskyy Warns

Restrictions on the US-operated Starshield satellite communications system are preventing Ukrainian forces from intercepting Russian jet-powered Shahed drones near the front line, allowing them to penetrate deeper into Ukrainian territory, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said during a conversation with journalists attended by UNITED24 Media on November 13.

According to Zelenskyy, Starshield remains subject to a speed limit of 161 kilometers per hour (100 mph) in Russian-occupied Ukrainian territories, disrupting the operations of Ukrainian drone interceptor units.

“Now we can’t shoot them down there, near the front line. We have to shoot them down at other lines of defense, and this gives the Russians more opportunities to attack,” Zelenskyy said.

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The president explained that Ukrainian interceptor units rely on Starshield connectivity to target incoming Russian drones before they reach Ukrainian-controlled territory. The restrictions force these units to operate farther from the front line, reducing their ability to intercept threats early.

Zelenskyy said the disruptions had continued for five days despite repeated technical checks by Ukrainian forces. According to him, Ukraine’s Defense Ministry contacted SpaceX, which denied imposing any restrictions.

“They replied: ‘We are not imposing any restrictions.’ The restrictions have now been in place for five days. They say it is some kind of technical issue. We do not believe that is the case,” the president stated.

Zelenskyy also pointed to conflicting explanations regarding responsibility for the system. He recalled that US Secretary of State Marco Rubio had previously indicated that Starshield was more directly controlled by the US government than by SpaceX.

However, Zelenskyy said his team now believes the restrictions may have originated with SpaceX, raising questions about who authorized the changes.

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Beyond their military consequences, the president warned that limiting Starshield operations specifically in temporarily occupied Ukrainian territories could carry political implications. “If you impose restrictions there, you are already partially recognizing the temporarily occupied territories as not ours,” Zelenskyy said.

He called for the restrictions to be lifted throughout Ukraine, including territories currently under Russian occupation, and said Ukrainian defense and diplomatic officials should continue raising the issue with their American counterparts.

The disruptions have also raised concerns among European leaders. On November 12, Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen warned that Ukraine and Europe depend on US satellite systems for their defense and said she would raise the Starshield restrictions with Washington.

“Everyone knows, including the Americans, that Ukraine and Europe are simply not able to defend their citizens and Europe without these satellites,” Frederiksen stated.

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