This story has moved on: US senators demand investigation into Ukraine's Starlink speed restrictions

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 18 Oct, 19:56 · Archive

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy says his military's access to Starshield, the military version of SpaceX's Starlink, is being deliberately restricted.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy accuses the U.S. government of deliberately restricting his military's access to Starshield, the military version of SpaceX's Starlink satellite service.

Zelenskyy says Ukraine has conducted tests proving the throttling is intentional. Drones using Starshield terminals operated at speeds exceeding 180 km/h in European Union territory with no problems, but slowed when reaching above 160 km/h within Ukraine, he told reporters. 'The conclusion is clear: the restrictions are in effect within Ukraine but do not apply within the European Union. In other words, this is a planned operation,' Zelenskyy said, adding that Ukraine possesses logs and evidence to support this.

Ukraine uses Starshield to operate its interceptor drone system. Zelenskyy said his government has raised the matter with U.S. officials and SpaceX at military and diplomatic levels, but received no substantive response. U.S. officials have told him the problems stem from technical issues. The dispute emerges amid broader tensions between Zelenskyy and U.S. President Donald Trump over sanctions policy towards Russia.

How it is being reported

• Zelensky says Ukraine has 'evidence' Starlink systems being throttledUkrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Kyiv has "evidence" proving the Starlink military systems it uses are being throttled.UPI · 18 Oct, 19:43
• Ukraine and the U.S. are at odds over Starshield. Here's what to knowUkrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said he believes the U.S. government is behind his military's loss of normal access to the key satellite communications service used by the Ukrainian military.NPR · 18 Oct, 19:38

In this story: Volodymyr Zelenskyy · Ukraine · United States · SpaceX · European Union

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