'Planned operation' — Zelensky confirms Ukraine's Starlink access not fully restored
Zelensky called the restrictions a "planned operation" targeting Ukraine, noting that Starlink speed limits remain in effect in Ukraine but not in EU countries.
President Volodymyr Zelensky confirmed on October 17 that Ukraine's access to Starlink internet remained limited, despite initial reports of restoration the previous day. The speed caps on Starlink operations have hindered Ukraine's efforts to counteract Russian jet-powered drones. While Ukraine reported restored connectivity by the following day, Zelensky now disclosed that a speed limit of 161 kilometers per hour persists.
Some Ukrainian interceptor drones rely on Starlink to intercept fast-moving enemy drones, but the current speed cap prevents effective downing of Russian jet-powered drones. Additionally, the disruptions complicate other military operations, as some drones are used to deliver supplies to front-line soldiers. The unexpected throttling of Starlink systems has sparked speculation about who made the decision, with media reports suggesting Elon Musk or the White House.
However, Ukraine has not received a warning about the restrictions and has been attempting to clarify the matter with U.S. authorities and SpaceX. Ukraine dismissed the technical issue explanation, calling the restrictions a "planned operation" targeting Ukraine. Kyiv sent Starlink-equipped vehicles to the EU for testing, where they surpassed the speed limit in Ukraine, indicating the issue is not limited to Ukrainian soil. European partners are exploring alternatives to Starlink to address the problem.
Written by urgent.news from Kyiv Independent's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
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