Kyiv, Oct 19 (V7N) – Ukrainian troops are being hindered by slower speeds on a US satellite system they use on the battlefield to coordinate drone strikes against Russian forces, President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Monday.
Zelensky said frontline units had reported that the Starshield equipment "stops functioning at speeds of 130-160 kilometres (80-100 miles) per hour in various sectors of the front," after the Ukrainian leader accused Washington last week of being behind the issue.
Starshield is a military-focused satellite network developed by SpaceX, designed to provide secure communications and data transmission for defense and intelligence applications. Ukrainian forces have relied heavily on satellite communications for coordinating drone strikes, artillery fire, and battlefield intelligence since the start of Russia's full-scale invasion in 2022.
The reported speed limitation could significantly impact Ukraine's ability to conduct real-time drone operations, particularly against moving targets or in dynamic battlefield situations where rapid data transmission is critical. The issue comes amid ongoing tensions between Kyiv and Washington over military aid and support, with Zelensky previously expressing frustration over the pace and scope of US assistance.
The Starshield system has been a key component of Ukraine's military communications infrastructure, enabling frontline units to maintain connectivity even in areas where traditional networks have been destroyed. Any degradation in service could affect Ukraine's ability to coordinate operations across multiple fronts and respond quickly to Russian advances.
The speed limitation may be related to technical constraints, security protocols, or policy decisions by the US government or SpaceX. Neither the Pentagon nor SpaceX has publicly commented on the specific issue raised by Zelensky.
end/wd/rh/
