Ukrainian forces' ability to use interceptor drones against Russian jet-powered drones is at issue after President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said a reported Starshield speed cap had affected units in combat areas for several days.
Zelenskyy put the limit at 161 km/h (100 mph), saying it affected units along the front line and in temporarily occupied areas. He said a military review found the cap was applied repeatedly rather than through isolated malfunctions. Zelenskyy said he had received briefings from Defense Minister Yevhenii Khmara and Commander-in-Chief Mykhailo Drapatyi.
In Zelenskyy's account, the limit left Ukrainian interceptors too slow to stop some incoming Russian strikes. Ukraine's General Staff said Starshield supports interceptor-drone operations and warned that service disruptions could weaken defenses against jet-powered drones and other threats. It said that could also reduce protection for civilians and critical infrastructure, in a statement reported by Interfax-Ukraine.
SpaceX told Axios that the service had not changed, Axios reported.
Ukraine's Ministry of Defence said Oct. 24 it had recorded restored speeds for Starlink and Starshield, with stable connectivity as equipment moved above 400 km/h.
Ukraine was working with the U.S. side to determine what was behind the reported restrictions, Zelenskyy said.
