Zelenskyy urges closer contact with US amid Starshield restrictions at the front

Ukrainian President Zelenskyy has stated that the American side has not provided clear explanations regarding the reasons for the restrictions on Starshield operations at the front, prompting him to order intensified contacts with the US.

Source: Zelenskyy on X (Twitter); sources in the Ministry of Defence of Ukraine

Details: Zelenskyy noted that Ukraine's minister of defence and the commander-in-chief of the Armed Forces had reported on communication with the American side regarding Starshield speed issues.

Quote from Zelenskyy: "Unfortunately, the speed limit of 161 kilometres per hour (100 miles per hour) for our forces remains in place along the entire front line and in Ukraine's temporarily occupied territories. This makes it impossible, in particular, to use interceptors against jet-powered 'Shaheds'.

We still have no clear explanations. I instructed Ukraine's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the minister of defence to step up contacts with the US Department of State, the Pentagon, and SpaceX to obtain clarification and resolve the situation."

Details: According to Ukrainska Pravda sources in the Ministry of Defence, as of 13 November, experts from the defence ministry and the Armed Forces of Ukraine were recording a limit of 161 km/h over the entire territory of Ukraine temporarily occupied by the Russians. Meanwhile, no restrictions were recorded in Ukrainian-controlled territory.

Background:

• On 12 November, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that the Ukrainian military had been experiencing significant disruptions to Starshield for several days.
• Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen said she is concerned about the Starshield disruptions in Ukraine and promised to discuss the issue with the US.
• A bipartisan group of 105 members of the Congressional Ukraine Caucus has urged the Trump administration and SpaceX to restore full access to the Starshield system for the Ukrainian military.
• The first restriction of Starshield's operation occurred in mid-October 2026. This made it more difficult to use interceptor drones to counter Russian UAVs, as well as to conduct reconnaissance and strike operations.

Subscribe on Patreon to back our journalism long-term.