Ukraine says SpaceX restrictions on Starshield terminals caused mission failures

Ukraine reported Tuesday that restrictions on SpaceX's military-grade Starshield satellite terminals disrupted battlefield operations, causing mission failures amid political pressure from the White House and shifting US policy. Ukrainian forces, which rely on Starshield for secure communications, said SpaceX unilaterally limited terminals on devices traveling over 100 mph, complicating drone missions, reconnaissance, and front-line logistics. An advisor to President Zelenskyy linked the restrictions to "the current political situation," as the Trump administration pressures Ukraine to curb strikes on Russian targets. Starshield, publicly announced in late 2022, is a secure satellite network for government and national security use, distinct from the civilian Starlink service. Owned and controlled by the US government, its usage limits are set by the US military, while SpaceX's Elon Musk has historically expressed reservations about offensive military applications.