SpaceX Starshield outage disrupts Ukrainian drone operations

A sudden restriction on SpaceX's Starshield military satellite service disrupted Ukrainian drone operations and communications this week, causing lost drones and failed missions before connectivity was restored by Thursday. The incident raised urgent questions about Ukraine's dependence on the U.S.-controlled system. Starshield is SpaceX's government and military-grade version of Starlink, offering higher speeds, enhanced encryption, and dedicated satellites for national security missions. Ukrainian commanders confirmed the one-day shutdown affected high-speed terminals, while Elon Musk stated the U.S. government owns and controls the system, leaving responsibility for the restrictions unclear. The episode added strain to Kyiv-Washington relations, already tense over President Trump's reported diesel deal with Moscow. Ukrainian forces are now preparing backup communication alternatives, though they acknowledge these will be more expensive and less effective than Starshield.