Starshield outage disrupts Ukraine's drone operations, exposing reliance on US system

Ukraine's military faced sudden disruptions in SpaceX's Starshield satellite connectivity this week, causing lost drones and failed operations, raising fresh concerns about Kyiv's reliance on the U.S.-controlled system. The restrictions affected high-speed data terminals, disrupting drone missions and communications, though connectivity returned to normal by Thursday. SpaceX CEO Elon Musk said the U.S. government owns and controls the system, with decisions resting with the U.S. military and president, leaving responsibility unclear. Starshield is SpaceX's military-grade version of Starlink, offering enhanced encryption and speeds for government use, distinct from civilian services. Ukrainian commanders noted the incident highlighted the need for backup communications, though alternatives would be more expensive and less effective.