Presidential adviser says Ukraine is in talks to lift speed limit on military satellite network

Kyiv, Ukraine (AP) — Ukraine is in discussions with SpaceX and the Pentagon to increase the speed limit on its military satellite communication service, according to a senior adviser to President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. The speed cap, imposed suddenly earlier this week, restricts internet data connections for communication terminals moving faster than 160 kph (100 mph), affecting Ukrainian drones equipped with Starshield, the military variant of SpaceX's Starlink service.

The restriction made it easier for Russian weapons to target or evade the drones, disrupting front-line operations and leaving Ukraine more vulnerable to Russian attack drones. An adviser to Zelenskyy stated that the situation is not merely technical or commercial, but also political, as the decision-making process behind the restriction is unclear.

SpaceX founder Elon Musk claimed that the U.S. government owns and controls Starshield, with final authority resting with former President Donald Trump, though the Pentagon has not confirmed this. The Pentagon has also declined to comment on the restriction. This development comes amid deteriorating relations between Ukraine and Washington, exacerbated by Trump's import of Russian diesel and alleged breakdowns in intelligence sharing.