White House limits Starshield satellite service for Ukraine, complicating drone missions

g1.globo.com (Portuguese) —

The White House ordered limits on the Starshield satellite service used by Ukraine for battlefield communications and drone operations, according to two US officials and one Western official cited by Reuters on Thursday. The restriction has complicated Ukrainian attack missions. The order, delivered to Defense Department leaders, targeted SpaceX's military-grade Starshield service, whose main client is the Pentagon. Ukrainian officials said receivers stopped working at high speeds, impairing drone guidance, though they reportedly resumed functioning at speeds up to 160 km/h. The move comes as President Donald Trump pressures Kyiv to halt strikes on Russian refineries, which he blames for rising energy prices ahead of midterm elections. A senior US official denied Trump made the request, while Ukraine sought explanations from top officials.


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White House limits Starshield satellite service for Ukraine, complicating drone missions | News Minimalist