Zelensky urges Musk to ‘switch on’ Starlink as Ukraine flags US ‘difficulties’ amid military disruptions
Ukraine’s President Zelensky urged Elon Musk to switch on Starlink after reported disruptions affected military drone operations. Kyiv has also flagged difficulties in its partnership with the US over satellite communications and intelligence sharing.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky urged U.S. tech billionaire Elon Musk to "switch on" Starlink satellite communications during a visit to London, as Ukraine reported difficulties with the service affecting military operations, according to AFP. Starlink, operated by SpaceX, has been a critical component of Ukraine's military communications since Russia's invasion in February 2022, supporting operations in areas with unreliable or vulnerable conventional communications.
However, Ukrainian officials have acknowledged that Starlink data communication speeds have been "throttled," causing disruptions in battlefield communications, drone operations, and military logistics. The reported restrictions have raised concerns over Ukraine's reliance on the satellite internet network, potentially affecting mobile military platforms such as aerial drones, which may lose connectivity when traveling above a certain speed.
The disruptions could impact Ukraine's drone missions, particularly interceptor drones and medium-range strikes, as well as frontline logistics, reconnaissance, and communications relays.
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