US restricts Starshield for Ukraine, slowing drone intercepts and enabling more Russian strikes

The United States has imposed new speed restrictions on the Starshield satellite system used by Ukraine, limiting it to 161 kilometers per hour along the entire front line and in occupied territories, according to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. This has significantly complicated the interception of Russian jet-powered drones, leading to successful strikes. Zelenskyy stated that Ukrainian forces have verified the restrictions are systematic, not accidental errors, and are already causing casualties and more accurate Russian attacks. The Ukrainian military is working to clarify the circumstances with the American side, following reports from Defense Minister Yevhen Khymara and Commander-in-Chief Mykhailo Drapaty. Starshield is a military-grade satellite communication service derived from SpaceX's Starlink technology, designed for government and defense applications. The speed limitation affects drone interception systems that rely on real-time data, reducing their ability to match the velocity of incoming Russian projectiles.