Vladimir Zelensky has stated that Starlink speed restrictions prevent Ukrainian military personnel from using some interceptor drones against jet-powered “Shaheds.” According to him, after exceeding a speed of 161 km/h, satellite communications switch off, and operators lose the drone. The Ukrainian president said this on October 17, answering journalists’ questions.
“Today our interceptors do not work because there is a speed limit. The maximum speed today is 161 km/h; after exceeding it, Starlink switches off and we lose the drone,” the Center for Investigative Journalism quotes him as saying. This concerns specifically the devices using this satellite communications, and not all Ukrainian interceptors.
To verify, the Ukrainian side sent several cars with Starlink terminals to European Union countries. According to Zelensky, on sections where this is permitted, the cars accelerated to more than 180 km/h — and the connection continued to work. The president said that Kiev has recordings confirming the test results.
“For us Starlink works up to a speed of 161 km/h, then it switches off. On EU territory it works at speeds above 180 km/h and works constantly,” Interfax-Ukraine quotes Zelensky as saying.
On the basis of this comparison, Zelensky called the restrictions a “planned operation.” According to him, at various levels what is happening is explained by technical problems, however the check conducted by the Ukrainian side showed differences between the operation of the system in Ukraine and in the EU. As Zelensky reported, the issue is being discussed at the level of the military, the Defense Ministry and diplomats. At the same time, according to his claim, SpaceX does not make contact with the Ukrainian military.
