Ukraine accused Elon Musk’s SpaceX of imposing new restrictions on Starlink satellite communications that have disrupted military drone operations and forced Ukrainian forces to cancel missions. Ukrainian military officials said the limitations were introduced without sufficient warning.

Starlink terminals have become essential to Ukraine’s military communications, particularly for controlling drones operating in areas where Russian electronic warfare makes traditional communication systems unreliable.

Ukrainian presidential adviser Serhiy Beskrestnov said SpaceX had restricted the military-grade service at speeds exceeding approximately 100 miles per hour, or 160 kilometers per hour.

Ukraine’s 7th Rapid Reaction Corps reported that some drones experienced communication interruptions lasting between 10 and 20 seconds at considerably lower speeds. The interruptions made the aircraft difficult to control and forced the cancellation of several operations.

A Ukrainian Defense Ministry source said the restrictions also complicated military logistics. SpaceX did not immediately respond to a request for comment, and the reason for the new limitations remained unclear.

(YWN World Headquarters – NYC)