Ukraine in talks with SpaceX and Pentagon to lift Starshield speed cap

Ukraine is in talks with SpaceX and the Pentagon to lift a speed cap on its Starshield military satellite service, a presidential adviser said Friday, after the restriction disrupted drone operations amid rising Russian threats. The cap, imposed without warning on October 15, cuts internet connections when terminals move faster than 160 kph, forcing Ukrainian drones to slow down and become easier targets. Adviser Serhii Beskrestnov called it a political issue, while President Donald Trump denied ordering the restriction. The episode has worsened Kyiv-Washington tensions already strained by a Russian diesel deal and intelligence-sharing breakdowns. Ukraine is seeking alternatives, including Amazon and Eutelsat networks, while warning of Russia's emerging Rassvet satellite system as a future threat.