SpaceX imposes speed-based access restrictions on Starlink terminals in Ukraine

On October 13, 2026, SpaceX, led by Elon Musk, implemented new access restrictions on Starlink satellite terminals used by the Ukrainian military. According to Serhiy Beskrestnov, a military technology advisor to the Ukrainian president, the connectivity drops when terminals are moving at speeds exceeding 160 km/h. This measure significantly hampers the operation of Ukrainian drones and mid-range strike capabilities, which rely on the satellite network for control and navigation.

Ukrainian officials, including sources from the Ministry of Defense and Air Force Colonel Yuriy Ihnat, report that these technical restrictions coincided with a series of Russian ballistic missile strikes. Notably, these attacks occurred without the usual prior intelligence warnings from the United States, breaking a long-standing practice of information sharing. Kiev is currently in communication with U.S. authorities, SpaceX, and NATO to seek clarification regarding these constraints.

While some reports suggest the restrictions may be linked to pressure from the Donald Trump administration regarding attacks on Russia's oil industry, the situation remains fluid. The Ukrainian military maintains that these service disruptions are hindering their defensive efforts against long-range Russian drones and missiles. Investigations into the extent of these outages are ongoing as officials coordinate with international partners to address the connectivity failures.