Summary
Ukraine asked the Pentagon and SpaceX to explain restrictions it says are disrupting Starshield, a satellite service its military uses to operate reconnaissance drones and intercept Russian drones. President Volodymyr Zelensky said Ukrainian units reported systematic disruptions along the front line and in Russian-occupied areas, while a Ukrainian official said all missions were failing on the third day of restrictions.
Key Facts
- Ukraine uses Starshield, SpaceX’s military satellite service, under a U.S. government agreement.
- Starshield supports Ukrainian reconnaissance drone operations and efforts to intercept Russian attack drones.
- Zelensky said Ukraine’s military reported significant disruptions along the front line and in Russian-occupied areas.
- A Ukrainian official said restrictions increased over three days, from 10% of missions affected to 50%, then to all missions failing.
- Ukraine’s charge d’affaires to the United States, Denys Sienik, said Starshield shuts down when drones fly faster than 100 miles per hour.
- Zelensky said the restrictions began shortly before U.S. envoys Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff met Russian President Vladimir Putin at the Kremlin.
- Ukraine also uses commercial Starlink for battlefield communications and logistics.
- The Pentagon and SpaceX had not provided an immediate response to requests for comment.
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