On October 14, 2026, Ukraine's Ministry of Defense reported restrictions on the operation of military Starshield terminals, complicating the execution of drone missions and frontline logistics. The ministry is actively reaching out to the US, SpaceX, and NATO partners to address this situation.
Restrictions on Starshield Terminals
According to sources, SpaceX did not inform Ukraine about plans to restrict the operation of Starshield terminals, which is a military service package of Starlink. Specifically, last night the terminals began operating with restrictions: connectivity is lost when the vehicle exceeds a speed of 160 km/h. However, in various units, connectivity issues start at speeds ranging from 72 km/h to 161 km/h.
Impact on Military Missions
These restrictions complicate the execution of important military tasks, including:
- operation of interceptor drones;
- mid-strike missions;
- frontline logistics;
- reconnaissance;
- relay operations.
The Ministry of Defense of Ukraine is currently collecting data from all units to assess the scale of the problem and is also checking and activating backup communication channels in light of the situation with the Starshield terminals.
Actions of the Ministry of Defense
The Ministry of Defense is actively contacting its partners to find solutions for improving communication and ensuring the stability of terminal operations. In particular, information is being exchanged with the US, SpaceX, and NATO to resolve emerging issues and ensure the effectiveness of military operations.