Zelenskyy confirms Starlink speed restrictions hindered interception of jet-powered Shaheds
Ukraine was unable to intercept jet-powered Shahed drones to protect civilians because Starlink connection speeds had been reduced.
As reported by European Pravda's correspondent in Brussels, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy added that the reduction in Starlink speeds had also prevented Ukraine from striking military targets in occupied territories and delivering water and food to Ukrainian troops.
He also stressed that the Armed Forces of Ukraine do not use Starlink to conduct long-range strikes on Russian territory.
"We use [Starlink] to intercept jet-powered Shaheds that strike our civilians and kill our families. We use specialised interceptors that move at high speeds. Interceptor drones that operate specifically with Starlink," Zelenskyy said.
He pointed out that Starlink had not been switched off, but its connection speed had been reduced.
"When the speed was reduced, we were unable to intercept some of the jet-powered Shaheds… In other words, we were unable to use a tool to protect civilians. This is very painful and unpleasant," he said.
The president explained that jet-powered Shaheds fly at speeds of more than 400 km/h, while the Starlink restrictions had reduced the equipment speed available to Ukrainian troops intercepting Russian drones to 70 km/h.
Zelenskyy also said Ukraine uses Starlink for mid-range strikes against Russian military targets in temporarily occupied territories, but the reduction in connection speeds had prevented it from carrying out those operations as well.
In addition, Starlink is needed to deliver water and food to Ukrainian troops who spend weeks or months on the front line in areas under the Russians' full drone surveillance.
Zelenskyy noted that the Defence Ministry is in daily contact with the United States and had recently received information that the connection speed had been resumed.
"If that is the case, we are very grateful," the president added.
"We approached SpaceX and the White House to ask them to enable this capability," Zelenskyy said, noting that Ukraine has not received a positive response to its request.
Reuters previously reported that the order to restrict the use of the Starshield satellite system, which Ukraine uses for battlefield communications and drone control, had come from the White House.
US Republican Senator Thom Tillis is seeking an investigation and report back to Congress on the Pentagon's actions with regard to problems with Starlink satellite communications systems encountered by the Ukrainian Armed Forces.
Axios previously reported that Trump's administration supposedly had nothing to do with the incident. Washington attempted to shift responsibility to SpaceX, saying the White House does not control the company's actions.
Zelenskyy publicly described the communications restrictions as a mistake that would lead to casualties and destruction.