Starlink helped Ukraine win Operation Vivaldi. A new cap on it could help Russia claw back the ground
The operation retook 277 square kilometers north of Lyman. The drones that now hold that line lose their Starshield link above about 160 km/h.
Operation Vivaldi, Ukraine's counteroffensive in northern Donetsk Oblast, began earlier than initially reported and ended on October 14. The operation inflicted over 8,000 casualties on Russian forces, marking a significant Ukrainian victory. The Ukrainians' advantage in command and control, largely due to Starlink and Starshield access, was crucial in the operation's success, but this advantage was significantly diminished on October 14 when a new speed cap was implemented on Ukraine's Starshield terminals.
This cap limited the speed of drones and other Starshield-reliant equipment to about 160 km/h, cutting off communication for any equipment exceeding this speed. While the White House, Pentagon, and even Elon Musk have been speculated to be behind this decision, President Trump's recent more overtly friendly stance towards Russia adds to the uncertainty surrounding the order.
The cap could potentially allow Russia to partially recapture the ground gained by Ukraine, as it affects the reliability of communications and responsive drone operations, which are vital for Ukraine's defensive posture.
Written by urgent.news from Euromaidan Press's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
