Ukraine's Air Force explains why air defense needs Starlink

Ukraine's Air Force has revealed that speed limits on Starlink satellite communications could hinder the effectiveness of its jet-powered interceptor drones and other tactical operations. Yuriy Ignat, head of the communications department at the Ukrainian Air Force Command, stated this on the RBC-Ukraine podcast Tse Baza on October 26.

Helicopters, which travel at speeds of 300-350 kilometers per hour (185-215 mph), currently use Starlink to accurately target enemies and exchange critical information with ground control. Ignat mentioned that if a speed limit is imposed on Starlink, it could pose challenges for these operations. Additionally, tactical aviation and jet-powered interceptor drones also use Starlink for reliable satellite internet and communication.

The Starshield military package, a version of Starlink used by Ukraine, is particularly crucial for protecting the country's airspace from threats. According to a report by the U.S.-based Institute for the Study of War, the interception rate of Russian jet-powered drones in Ukraine dropped from 77% to about 74% between October 14 and 24, a period when Starshield's operation was disrupted due to speed limits.

The speed restrictions on Starlink were reportedly initiated by SpaceX CEO Elon Musk on October 14, affecting connections when speeds exceeded 160 km/h (100 mph). This led to the failure of military missions and poorer performance of interceptor drones against Russian Shaheds. Despite Elon Musk reportedly lifting the restrictions on October 23, Ukrainian officials, including President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, claimed that the restrictions still remained in place.

Democratic Senator Richard Blumenthal launched an investigation into the loss of Starlink communications on October 24, but Zelenskyy confirmed that Starlink and Starshield were back to their normal speeds the following day.