SpaceX’s Starlink internet system remains restricted in Ukraine, with the country’s officials and a national security expert stating that the limitations are still in place. Denys Sienik, Ukraine’s deputy ambassador to the U.S., expressed concern about the situation, saying “every day matters for Ukraine, because every Ukrainian life matters.”
Ukrainian officials have accused SpaceX of undermining the country’s ability to defend itself by imposing speed limits on Starshield, the military-grade Starlink offering, since October 14. The restrictions cause any drone traveling above 100 mph to lose its connection, disrupting some missions.
Dmitri Alperovitch, chairman of the Silverado Policy Accelerator, stated that Ukraine’s Starshield terminals continued to experience problems, despite recent comments from President Donald Trump suggesting that service had been restored. Alperovitch noted that the limitations are causing Ukraine to lose drones and hindering their ability to conduct mid-strike attacks on Russian logistics.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy confirmed that the restrictions on Starlink and Starshield are still in place, saying “the speed has not been restored.” He also mentioned that the country is waiting for the U.S. to deliver missile interceptors that were previously agreed upon.
Zelenskyy and other Ukrainian officials have considered adopting additional satellite internet communications systems due to the disruptions. However, experts have stated that securing alternatives to Starlink may be challenging, as other options are not yet comparable to the service.
Zelenskyy met with Norwegian officials and Kongsberg, a Norwegian defense company, to discuss air defense systems and potential new satellite communication capabilities for Ukraine‘s military.
Democratic lawmakers have called for an investigation into Elon Musk and the Starshield throttling, with a group of bipartisan lawmakers urging the Defense Secretary to expand Starshield arrangements and ensure uninterrupted satellite communications support for Ukraine.
Trump initially stated that he had spoken with Musk about lifting the restrictions, but later denied making the call. He reiterated that Starshield service had been restored, despite Ukrainian officials confirming that the restrictions are still in place.
Notably, the “Ability to do mid strike to hit Russian logistics is now limited” due to the restrictions, highlighting the significant impact on Ukraine’s military capabilities. Furthermore, on October 16, 2026, soldiers from a separate task rifle battalion of the National Police of Ukraine in the Zaporizhzhia region were setting up a Starlink satellite communication terminal at a combat position in the Donetsk region, Ukraine, demonstrating the ongoing efforts to utilize the available technology despite the limitations. The Ukrainian government’s efforts to secure alternative solutions, such as the recent meeting with Norwegian officials and the signing of a letter of intent with Nokia and ICEYE, show the importance of reliable satellite communications in modern warfare.