Ukrainian officials have accused SpaceX of limiting its satellite internet services in the country, disrupting ongoing military and combat drone missions that rely on the technology, according to a Reuters report today, October 14. Presidential adviser Serhiy Beskrestnov said SpaceX has implemented a speed limit on its military-grade Starshield satellite terminals in Ukraine, hindering their operations at speeds above 100 miles per hour (160 km/h).

In a Telegram post on Wednesday, Beskrestnov said Elon Musk's company provided no prior warning before implementing the restriction. “Our defense forces did not receive a warning about this limitation, and this led to the disruption of several missions,” he wrote. The restriction specifically impacts the Starshield terminals in motion. The terminals, which are physically mounted onto mobile platforms such as drones and other military vehicles to provide high-speed, real-time communications during transit, have been crucial in guiding Ukraine's drone strikes that have decimated Russian logistics across occupied southern and eastern Ukraine.

Following the limitation, Ukraine's 7th Rapid Reaction Corps, deployed on the southeastern frontline, confirmed they had to cancel multiple missions. “According to our observations, during flights, the connection could drop for 10–20 seconds at speeds of just 110–120 km/h (68–75 mph). The drones kept moving, but these interruptions made them harder to control,” it told Reuters. Volunteer Serhiy Sternenko, citing military reports, said that the restrictions are tightening further, with connection drops occurring at speeds of just 60–70 km/h (37–43 mph). Sources in the country's defense ministry also stated that the limitation complicates logistics and drone operations.

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