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Zelenskyy Says Starlink Restrictions Apply Only in Ukraine While SpaceX Ignores Kyiv’s Inquiries
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![Photo of Ivan Khomenko]( "Photo of Ivan Khomenko")
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has accused SpaceX of deliberately restricting Starlink satellite communications in Ukraine, saying tests conducted in European Union countries showed that the same limitations did not apply outside Ukrainian territory. He also said the company had stopped responding to inquiries from Ukraine’s Defense Ministry.
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Speaking to journalists in a group chat on October 17, Zelenskyy described the restrictions as a planned operation after Ukrainian officials tested Starlink terminals in moving vehicles across EU countries.
The President said Starlink terminals operating in Ukraine remain subject to a speed limit of approximately 161 kilometers per hour (100 mph). The restriction prevents Ukrainian forces from using certain drone interceptors against Russia’s jet-powered Shahed drones, forcing them to rely on other air defense systems.
To determine whether the disruption resulted from technical problems or restrictions specifically targeting Ukraine, Ukrainian officials sent several vehicles equipped with Starlink terminals into EU territory.
During the tests, the vehicles traveled at speeds exceeding 180 kilometers per hour (112 mph) where permitted, while their Starlink connections continued operating normally.
Zelenskyy said Ukraine had documented the tests and collected evidence demonstrating that the restrictions applied inside Ukraine but not in EU countries.
He characterized the findings as evidence of a planned operation, although he did not publicly identify who had ordered the restrictions. The President also said Ukrainian military officials and diplomats were continuing efforts to contact SpaceX but had received no response through Defense Ministry channels.
According to Zelenskyy, explanations provided through other channels attributed the disruptions to technical problems. However, he questioned why those problems appeared to affect Ukraine specifically.
The accusations follow reports that SpaceX introduced new restrictions on Starshield, the military version of Starlink, on October 14, without prior notification to Ukraine. The changes reportedly disrupted Ukrainian drone interception, strike operations, and frontline logistics.
SpaceX owner Elon Musk subsequently stated that Starshield was controlled by the US government, while the White House denied involvement and attributed the disruption to technical problems.
On October 15, Ukraine’s Defense Ministry reported that Starshield connectivity during movement had resumed but said it was still investigating the restrictions.
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