Ukraine: Starlink Limits Persist After Trump Promise — SkimNews
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- Ukrainian defence ministry sources said there was “currently no confirmation” restrictions had been lifted and reported drone connection losses at 161 km/h (100 mph), hampering military operations.
- Trump said Musk had “put it back,” denied speaking with him and said he would get any remaining problem straightened out.
- Musk denied being behind the slowdown and said Starshield was controlled by the US military, suggesting the Pentagon as a possible cause.
- Zelensky said before Trump’s comments that Starlink’s speed had not been fully restored and that he was waiting for Rubio’s promised information within about 48 hours.
- The Wall Street Journal reported that Trump told Musk he was frustrated speeds remained capped and that the system was working closer to normal after their conversation.
- Starshield gives Ukrainian drone operators real-time target visibility and control of interceptor drones, while Starlink and Starshield use 10,000 satellites to connect battlefield units in remote areas.
- Ukrainian soldiers said some units had reverted to the “proven algorithms” used before Starlink as outages continued; one reported cutouts at 80 km/h (50 mph), and another said there was “simply no alternative” to Starshield.
Why it matters: For Ukraine, losing links at 161 km/h (100 mph) directly hinders drone operations, and some units have already reverted to pre-Starlink algorithms. Trump’s assurance that restrictions were reversed therefore does not match the service’s reported battlefield performance, even as The Wall Street Journal reported it was running closer to normal.
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