Volodymyr Zelenskyy has publicly accused SpaceX of concealing the true reasons behind restrictions on Ukraine’s Starshield satellite network, describing the limitations as political rather than technical. The Ukrainian president stated that the company has failed to provide a clear explanation for why satellite connections are being throttled across the entire frontline.
Starshield slowdown impacts drone operations
Zelenskyy told reporters at the presidential palace in Kyiv that the speed restrictions have been in effect for five days. Ukrainian drones can no longer exceed speeds of 161 kilometers per hour, as connections at higher velocities are being lost. This limitation has severely hampered Ukraine’s ability to intercept incoming Russian Shahed drones, which rely on high-speed maneuvers to reach their targets.
The restrictions also affect Ukraine’s capacity to conduct mid-range strikes against military targets in Russian-occupied territories. Zelenskyy noted that the problems are not isolated incidents but are widespread, affecting operations across the entire front line. He stated that his military leadership has raised the issue with SpaceX, the US Pentagon, and the State Department.
According to Zelenskyy, SpaceX initially told Kyiv that no restrictions were in place, attributing any issues to technical problems. The Ukrainian president rejected this explanation, stating that daily tests confirm the slowdown is deliberate. He emphasized that the ministry of defense has engaged in institutional discussions with the company, but SpaceX continues to deny imposing any limits.
Political pressure and peace talks
Ukraine suspects the Starshield slowdown is a deliberate tactic by the United States to pressure Zelenskyy into making concessions to Russian President Vladimir Putin. This development coincides with US-brokered talks in Abu Dhabi last week, which featured representatives from both Ukraine and Russia. The Kremlin has insisted that Ukraine must cede the entire eastern Donbas region.
Zelenskyy categorically ruled out giving up any further land to Russian forces. He revealed that US negotiators, including Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff, had asked if Ukraine was willing to trade the Donbas for NATO membership or similar security guarantees. Zelenskyy described the proposal as vague and noted it did not appear to involve US peacekeeping troops on the ground.
The Ukrainian president also dismissed a recent offer from Putin for a humanitarian mission in Kostiantynivka. He called the move a primitive attempt to force Ukrainian forces to leave the city so Russian troops could occupy it. Zelenskyy stated that civilians had already fled the area as fierce street-by-street fighting continued, resulting in heavy Russian losses.
Zelenskyy proposed repeating a recent ceasefire in south Ukraine along the Dnipro River, but Putin rejected the idea. The Ukrainian president argued that Putin’s true goal is to capture Kostiantynivka and nearby garrison cities like Sloviansk and Kramatorsk. He also expressed concern over Russian attempts to discuss Europe’s security architecture, specifically the demand for NATO to return to its pre-1997 configuration.
Zelenskyy highlighted tangible results from recent meetings with European leaders in Dublin, including pledges from Denmark to supply ammunition for F-16 jets. He warned that Russia is betting everything on its winter campaign to break civilian morale. Zelenskyy urged the US Congress to pass sanctions and provide weapons to pressure Putin into de-escalation.
Source: The Guardian
