Zelenskyy instructs officials to step up US contacts over Starshield speed limits hitting Ukrainian forces

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has directed the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Defense to increase communication with the U.S. Department of State, the Pentagon, and SpaceX to clarify Starshield speed limits impacting Ukrainian forces. This restriction, currently set at 161 kilometres per hour (100 mph) across all Ukrainian territories occupied by Russia, is hindering the use of interceptors against jet-powered Shahed drones.

Zelenskyy revealed this during a Facebook post following a coordination meeting, noting that there have been no clear explanations from U.S. officials about the situation. The Ukrainian defense minister and commander-in-chief of the Armed Forces confirmed that their team had been in contact with the U.S. regarding this issue. Interfax-Ukraine reported that Ukrainian defense specialists had identified the speed limit, while the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine had informed Interfax-Ukraine that the Starshield system's disruptions were reducing Ukraine's air defense capabilities in countering enemy jet-powered UAVs and other threats. The military is currently adapting its air defense system to cope with these challenges.