Zelenskyy: Starshield restrictions remain along entire front line and in TOT
Ukraine continues to record restrictions on Starshield operations along the entire front line and in temporarily occupied territories (TOT).
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy reported this in his evening address, Censor.NET reports.
Starshield speed restrictions remain in place
"Today, the defense minister and the commander-in-chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported on the situation with Starshield: the speed restrictions — unfortunately, these restrictions remain in place. Along the entire front line and in the temporarily occupied territory of Ukraine," the head of state said.
He noted that he expected the Ministry of Defense and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to discuss the issue with all relevant US agencies.
Impact on intercepting jet-powered Shaheds
"The temporarily occupied territory of Ukraine is ours, our sovereign territory, and speed restrictions there are a very, very bad signal. This limits our ability to intercept jet-powered Shaheds and counter other drones, and it also signals to Russia that America might treat our temporarily occupied land differently. We are counting on speeds being restored," Zelenskyy added.
Background
- On November 12, Volodymyr Zelenskyy reported that units of Ukraine's Defense Forces were recording significant disruptions to Starshield operations over Ukrainian territory: along the entire front line and in temporarily occupied territory. The restrictions take effect at speeds of 161 kilometers per hour and above.
- He said that "someone in America" was making decisions about Ukrainian territory as though it were not Ukrainian.
- The European Commission urged US company SpaceX to restore Starshield satellite communications in Ukraine as soon as possible.
- The first instance of restrictions on Starshield operations occurred in mid-October 2026. This complicated the use of interceptor drones against Russian UAVs, as well as reconnaissance and strike operations.
