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SpaceX limits Starlink service for Ukraine’s high-speed military drones without prior warning — Ukrainian officials say limitation significantly complicates logistics and drone operations
Ukrainian officials have accused SpaceX of limiting its satellite internet services in the country, disrupting ongoing military and combat drone missions that rely on the technology, according to a Reuters report today, October 14. Presidential adviser Serhiy Beskrestnov said SpaceX has implemented a speed limit on its military-grade Starshield satellite terminals in Ukraine, hindering their operations at speeds above 100 miles per hour (160 km/h).
In a Telegram post on Wednesday, Beskrestnov said Elon Musk's company provided no prior warning before implementing the restriction. “Our defense forces did not receive a warning about this limitation, and this led to the disruption of several missions,” he wrote. The restriction specifically impacts the Starshield terminals in motion. The terminals, which are physically mounted onto mobile platforms such as drones and other military vehicles to provide high-speed, real-time communications during transit, have been crucial in guiding Ukraine's drone strikes that have decimated Russian logistics across occupied southern and eastern Ukraine.
Following the limitation, Ukraine's 7th Rapid Reaction Corps, deployed on the southeastern frontline, confirmed they had to cancel multiple missions. “According to our observations, during flights, the connection could drop for 10–20 seconds at speeds of just 110–120 km/h (68–75 mph). The drones kept moving, but these interruptions made them harder to control,” it told Reuters. Volunteer Serhiy Sternenko, citing military reports, said that the restrictions are tightening further, with connection drops occurring at speeds of just 60–70 km/h (37–43 mph). Sources in the country's defense ministry also stated that the limitation complicates logistics and drone operations.
While SpaceX has not provided a reason for the throttling, Ukrainian officials, including Beskrestnov, believe that the move is intentional, as it coincides with mounting pressure from Washington for Kyiv to halt its long-range drone strikes on Russian oil refineries after U.S. President Donald Trump called for an “energy ceasefire.” Musk posted on X on Saturday that “Zelensky has gone too far.” Ukraine is also striking data centers across Russia. The U.S. has been one of Ukraine's major allies since Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022, providing billions of dollars worth of direct military assistance. Likewise, Starlink has been indispensable for Ukrainian battlefield communications; shutting it down would devastate the country’s frontline defenses.
Meanwhile, Ukrainian defense tech company Stetman is developing an independent domestic satellite communications system called UASAT-NANO to reduce heavy reliance on SpaceX for military operations.
Etiido Uko is a news contributor for Tom's Hardware covering the latest updates in big tech and the PC industry. He is a mechanical engineer and senior technical writer with over nine years of experience in documentation and reporting. He is deeply passionate about all things engineering and technology, and is an expert in gadgets, manufacturing, robotics, automotive, and aerospace.
Its nice to know that Elon gets to dictate international foreign policy unilaterally.
Meanwhile, Russia is far less discriminate in their targets, attacking residential areas AND energy infrastructure, but Elon says Ukraine "went too far"? Why, because they hit a few Russian bot farms?
There are no words.. The rest of the western world really needs an alternative to the technology of the US. Being reliant on it has become a real hindrance over the last couple of years and things like this will likely accelerate its departure from other western countries key systems.
Who would want to use these technologies for anything important when they can be handicapped or switched off at the whim of a megalomaniac?
This is crossing a major line in customer confidence.
If Musk is willing to mess with Starlink what prevents him from messing with Tesla vehicle guidance systems?
This is crossing a major line in customer confidence.
If Musk is willing to mess with Starlink what prevents him from messing with Tesla vehicle guidance systems?
what make you think all the tech company not doing that already?
Its nice to know that Elon gets to dictate international foreign policy unilaterally.
We don't actually know who made this call. AFAIK, the US Department of Defense has been footing the bill since early on in the conflict, when Elon complained about how much it was costing him (and I think possibly threatened to cut them off). So, I expect that would give them the discretion to stipulate such limitations on the service.
Don't believe everything you read. Propaganda abounds from all over, and it's trivial to create videos and pictures showing _anything_.
Unless you've personally been to either the Ukraine or Russia to see what has happened, take it all with a huge grain of salt, and certainly don't get upset about something you read.
Don't believe everything you read. Propaganda abounds from all over, and it's trivial to create videos and pictures showing _anything_.
Unless you've personally been to either the Ukraine or Russia to see what has happened, take it all with a huge grain of salt, and certainly don't get upset about something you read.
Not even Musk himself outright saying Ukraine went too far? Should we treat that as some sort of propaganda that's probably not true? /s
Don't believe everything you read. Propaganda abounds from all over, and it's trivial to create videos and pictures showing _anything_.
So, you're saying the Reuters report is just relying on some tiktok video?
Please.
The difference between real journalists and the slop you find on social media is that a real journalist and real news outlets authenticate the facts in their stories. The report cited Presidential adviser Serhiy Beskrestnov. That sounds like a pretty authoritative source.
when Elon complained about how much it was costing him
And that there is the problem. The richest man on earth complaining about a few million dollars when at one point years ago he was tweeting "i think i'm going to give away all my money".
