SpaceX imposes speed restrictions on Starlink terminals in Ukraine

Since the evening of Tuesday, October 13, 2026, the Ukrainian military has reported sudden disruptions to the Starlink and Starshield satellite networks. The company SpaceX implemented a speed limit on its terminals, effectively disabling connectivity for any devices moving faster than 160 km/h. This measure has severely hindered Ukrainian operations, particularly the deployment of unmanned aerial vehicles (drones) and mid-range strike missions that rely on satellite internet for control.

Reports indicate that the timing of these restrictions coincided with new Russian missile attacks, during which Kyiv did not receive the usual advance intelligence warnings from U.S. sources. According to multiple officials cited by Reuters, the instruction to restrict the service originated from within the White House, although an senior U.S. official denied that President Donald Trump personally requested the move. The Ukrainian government is currently seeking clarifications from the U.S. government, SpaceX, and NATO regarding these limitations.

European Union foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas acknowledged that the EU lacks the immediate capability to replace the Starlink infrastructure, which remains critical for Ukrainian defense. While investigations into the cause and intent behind these restrictions continue, the incident has highlighted Ukraine's heavy reliance on privately operated satellite systems for its ongoing war efforts.