100% of Starshield missions were failing by day three of the new cap, a Ukrainian official says. SpaceX: “There has been no change”
Senior Ukrainian officials told the FT they see the cap as pressure during the peace talks, while the Pentagon has yet to explain it.
Starshield, the military version of SpaceX’s Starlink used by Ukraine for reconnaissance and interception, is once again experiencing issues, according to a Ukrainian official. By the third day of a new speed cap, 100% of missions were failing, the official stated. This is the second cap in a month, coming just days after Ukraine regained full speed on October 24th and as peace talks in Abu Dhabi resumed.
Ukrainian officials suspect the cap was intended to pressure Kyiv during the negotiations. Meanwhile, Russia continues to launch drones and missiles against Ukrainian cities nightly. On November 12th, Russia launched 123 Shahed-type drones, 73 of them jet-powered. Ukraine's interceptors and helicopters are struggling to keep up.
Despite the reports of restrictions, SpaceX denies any change, stating, "There has been no change." They have not provided clarification, and the Pentagon has not commented. President Zelenskyy claims systematic speed restrictions were imposed, which began around the same time US envoys Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff met with Putin in Moscow, according to Axios.
Brussels and the US Ukraine Caucus have called the restrictions "deeply concerning and unacceptable," demanding their immediate restoration. The source of the cap remains unclear, with US military and POTUS traditionally deciding the limits. Elon Musk, SpaceX's CEO, has ordered the cap in the past, saying SpaceX simply enforced its own terms.
A senior Ukrainian official stated they are still unsure of the cause behind the cap, as the company remains silent.
Written by urgent.news from Euromaidan Press's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
