Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Thursday that renewed disruptions to Starshield satellite communications were hindering efforts to intercept Russian drones. Kyiv is seeking clarification from Washington over the restrictions, whose cause remains unclear.
According to Zelensky, Ukrainian forces have recorded problems for several days along the front line and in Russian-occupied territory. He said connections were being restricted when equipment exceeded approximately 161 kilometres per hour, preventing some interceptor systems from reaching the speeds needed to engage Russian jet-powered drones. He attributed some successful Russian strikes to those limitations.
The latest report follows an earlier period of restrictions in October. Ukraine’s Defence Ministry announced on October 24 that Starlink and Starshield connections had returned to stable operation on equipment travelling faster than 400 kilometres per hour. The ministry said it would continue monitoring the services, which support drone operations, logistics and battlefield communications.
The renewed disruption coincides with fresh American diplomatic efforts. U.S. envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner met Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow following U.S.-mediated talks between Russian and Ukrainian representatives in Abu Dhabi. Those discussions produced an agreement in principle on a large prisoner exchange, but no breakthrough on ending the war.
The envoys also planned to meet Zelensky in Dublin. Territorial disputes and security guarantees remain major obstacles to a settlement, while fighting and long-range attacks continue alongside the negotiations.
