Zelenskyy: Significant Disruptions to Starshield's Operations

Volodymyr Zelenskyy says Ukrainian forces have experienced significant disruptions to Starshield services for several days across the front line and in Russian-occupied parts of Ukraine. After receiving briefings from Defense Minister Yevhenii Khmara and Commander-in-Chief Mykhailo Drapatyi, he said the military had investigated and concluded that the restrictions were systematic rather than random technical errors. He specifically described Starshield as being limited to speeds of 161 kilometers per hour, or 100 miles per hour.

Zelenskyy argues that the restriction is making it harder for Ukraine to intercept Russian jet-powered drones, because Ukrainian interception systems cannot move fast enough to reach them in time. He says some attacks have already penetrated defenses and that the disruption is enabling more Russian casualties among Ukrainians and more precise strikes. His statement does not identify who imposed the limits or explain why; he says Ukraine is working with the American side to establish the circumstances. The central concern is that a change affecting Starshield’s operation is undermining Ukraine’s ability to counter fast-moving aerial threats across a wide area.