Zelenskyy Says SpaceX Starshield Speed Limits in Ukraine Are Deliberate After Europe Tests

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated on Saturday that speed limits on Ukraine's Starshield terminals are a deliberate "planned operation" rather than a technical failure, after Ukrainian vehicles equipped with the system were sent to Europe for speed checks and operated normally outside Ukrainian territory. Zelenskyy reported that Ukrainian air defense interceptors lose their Starshield connection at speeds exceeding 161 kilometers per hour (100 miles per hour), hampering efforts to counter Russian jet-powered drones traveling at around 400 kilometers per hour. The ongoing network slowdown coincided with an overnight Russian missile and drone barrage targeting 15 critical Ukrainian power generation and transmission facilities, forcing Ukraine to rely on F-16 fighter jets to shoot down about 60% of the jet-powered drones. US President Donald Trump stated on Friday that he did not order any limitations on Ukraine's access and did not believe SpaceX Chairman Elon Musk had either, following Musk's Wednesday statement that speed or usage limits are determined by the US military and ultimately the president. "We lose Starlink and lose the interceptor. The restrictions prevent us from defending ourselves and protecting our people, both at the front and among the civilian population." — Volodymyr Zelenskyy