Explainer-What is Starshield, SpaceX's military version of Starlink?
Ukraine's access to Starlink internet service has been disrupted, affecting its military operations, according to sources in the country's defense ministry and a top presidential advisor. Slower-than-normal speeds have impacted communications and drone missions, which are crucial for the Ukrainian military. Top advisor Serhii Beskrestnov claimed that SpaceX CEO Elon Musk's SpaceX had implemented speed limits for Starlink terminals overnight, but provided no evidence to support his claim.
The defense ministry confirmed the disruption, stating that it complicates military operations, including logistics and drone strikes. The cause is under investigation. Starlink has become critical to Ukraine's military, which uses it for battlefield communications and drone warfare. In 2023, Musk refused Ukraine's request to activate Starlink to assist a Ukrainian assault on Crimea.
Recently, SpaceX has been more reliable, clamping down on Russian forces' use of Starlink terminals in Ukraine after Ukraine's defense minister appealed to Musk. However, the current disruption comes after Russian ballistic missile attacks against Kyiv, for which Ukraine's partners did not provide advance warning.
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- Ukraine says its Starlink access has slowed down and it's affecting military operations businessinsider.com
- Explainer-What is Starshield, SpaceX's military version of Starlink? channelnewsasia.com
