Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Saturday, October 17, 2026, that Ukraine’s use of SpaceX’s satellite network is still partially restricted, despite signs earlier in the week that full service had been restored, Axios reports.
The speed cap
According to Ukrainian officials, the Starlink and Starshield networks used to work even on drones moving at around 400 km/h. Now service is limited to about 161 km/h (roughly 100 mph).
Zelensky said the Ukrainian military ran a test on Friday using cars in European Union countries. At 180 km/h the terminals kept working, but once the cars crossed into Ukraine the connection dropped at 161 km/h. “The conclusion is that the restrictions apply inside Ukraine but do not apply in European Union countries. In other words, this is a planned operation,” he told reporters. He also said he was skeptical of SpaceX’s explanation that the limit comes from technical problems.
Why Ukraine cares
Ukraine relies on two SpaceX-built systems. Starlink handles communications for ground forces, logistics and defensive interceptor drones. Starshield, which is controlled by the U.S. government, is used for offensive military operations. Ukrainian officials say both are affected, which limits reconnaissance, drone interception and long-range strikes.
Context
The dispute is one of the clearest examples yet of how much a single commercial satellite operator can shape a military conflict. It’s also feeding European interest in building alternatives to Starlink, a theme that has come up repeatedly this year.
Source: Axios