SpaceX restricted Starlink for Ukraine’s armed forces: operations disrupted and Shahed interception affected

In Ukraine overnight, the Starlink internet connection provided by SpaceX was restricted, leading to the disruption of several important combat operations by the Ukrainian Armed Forces.

This was reported by volunteer Serhiy Sternenko in his Telegram channel and by Ukrainian presidential adviser Serhiy Beskrestnov.

According to Sternenko, Starlink terminals were losing connection while in motion — when speeds exceeded 160 km/h. He later clarified that the restriction had been tightened further, to 60–70 km/h.

“SpaceX likely took such measures at the request of the Trump administration. Regular satellite communication terminals are working,” Sternenko suggested.

Presidential adviser Beskrestnov clarified that the restrictions affect specifically the military service package.

“At present, the restriction applies to the StarShield ‘military package’ of services and has been set at a speed of 100 miles per hour. Our defense forces received no advance notice of this restriction, and it led to the disruption of a number of operations. It is obvious that this step cannot be accidental and is connected to the current political situation,” Beskrestnov wrote.

According to him, the measures introduced have restricted logistics, drone launches, and Ukraine’s ability to intercept jet-powered Shaheds. Beskrestnov specifically highlighted the latter as a critical problem.

“Everyone is writing that the Starlink restriction affected long-range missions and frontline logistics, but there is another major problem. Starlink is used in the most effective solution (interceptor) for protecting our skies from jet-powered Shaheds. In effect, through their actions, our partners are depriving us of one of the few chances to defend the country against jet-powered Shaheds,” Beskrestnov wrote.

In addition, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky stated that Ukraine had for the second time not received a warning from the United States about the launch of Russian ballistic missiles targeting Kyiv. Subsequently, Ukrainian Air Force spokesman Yurii Ihnat clarified that the warning was not received only regarding the launch of the first wave of ballistic missiles in the evening, while warnings for the three subsequent waves of attacks overnight had been provided.