The Ministry of Defense contacts the U.S., SpaceX and NATO partners about limiting Starshield operations – media – Center for Investigative Journalism

The Ministry of Defense of Ukraine is contacting the United States, SpaceX and partners in NATO over the unilateral restriction of Starshield terminals (“military package”) while in motion.

This was reported to Ukrinform by a source in the Ministry of Defense.

As the interlocutor explained, on the night of 14 October SpaceX set a speed limit for terminals at 160 km/h without warning the Defense Forces, after which the connection is lost. On different devices, in different units, the connection disappears at different speeds — from ~72 to ~161 km/h.

This complicates the operation of UAV missions, in particular interceptors and middle strikes, and reduces capabilities for frontline logistics, reconnaissance and relaying.

“As of now the Ministry of Defense is contacting the United States, SpaceX and partners in NATO, collecting data from all units, backup communication channels are being checked and implemented,” the source emphasized.

The President’s technology adviser Serhii “Flesh” Beskrestnov said that overnight SpaceX introduced speed restrictions on Starlink terminals while in motion, and the Defense Forces of Ukraine did not receive a warning.

A source in the Ministry of Defense also reported that the Starlink restrictions detected overnight complicated the operation of unmanned systems, logistics and middle strike operations of the Defense Forces.