Zelenskyy Says Ukraine’s Starlink Terminal Movement-Speed Limit Is Lower

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Friday, Oct. 16, that Starlink terminal movement-speed limits remained below prior levels, affecting some drone interceptions and deliveries to military positions.

At a press conference in Brussels, Zelenskyy said Starlink had not been turned off but its terminal movement-speed limit had been lowered to 70 km/h. He said the restriction impaired some interceptions of Russian Shahed drones and drone deliveries of food and water to military positions.

Ukrainian presidential adviser Serhii Beskrestnov said a 160-km/h cap on moving Starshield terminals remained in place. Both figures describe terminal movement speed while connected, not internet data rates. The statements do not establish whether they reflect different timing, terminals or operating conditions.

On Thursday, Oct. 15, British Defense Secretary Wes Streeting relayed U.S. Secretary of War Pete Hegseth’s assurance that service had been restored. SpaceX built Starshield for government customers using Starlink technology. Starlink serves consumers and businesses. Elon Musk has said the U.S. military and, ultimately, the president decide Starshield’s operating limits.

Beskrestnov said Ukraine was negotiating with SpaceX and the Pentagon to lift the Starshield cap.