Ukrainian military units have been forced to cancel drone missions after SpaceX introduced new speed restrictions on its Starlink satellite communications service, disrupting connectivity for aircraft traveling faster than 160 kilometers per hour (100 mph), Ukrainian officials said Wednesday.

The restrictions, introduced overnight, reportedly affect Starshield, the military-grade version of Starlink used by Ukrainian forces for drone operations and battlefield communications.

Serhiy Beskrestnov, an adviser to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, said Ukrainian forces received no advance warning of the changes, which caused several missions to fail.

Ukraine's 7th Rapid Reaction Corps reported that some drones operating near Huliaipole in the southeastern Zaporizhzhia region experienced connectivity interruptions lasting 10 to 20 seconds at speeds as low as 110 to 120 km/h (68 to 75 mph), well below the reported limit.

The disruptions have made aircraft difficult to control, forcing operators to cancel missions or reduce flight speeds. Ukrainian military officials warned that flying slower also increases the risk of drones being intercepted by Russian forces.

Starlink has become a critical part of Ukraine's military communications infrastructure since Russia's full-scale invasion in 2022. Its satellite network provides connectivity for frontline units and unmanned systems, including drones used for reconnaissance, strikes and logistics.

The reported restrictions could also affect Ukrainian interceptor drones used to counter Russian attack aircraft, including faster variants of the Shahed drone.

Ukraine's Defense Ministry is now in contact with the United States, SpaceX and NATO partners to determine the cause of the restrictions and assess their operational impact. Officials are also gathering reports from affected military units and examining backup communications options.

The reason for the changes remains unclear. Some Ukrainian officials have suggested the restrictions may be linked to tensions between Kyiv and Washington, but there is no confirmed evidence establishing a political motive.
SpaceX has not publicly explained the decision.

The disruptions highlight Ukraine's dependence on foreign-operated satellite communications systems for military operations. Any sustained limitations could affect the speed, range and effectiveness of Ukrainian drones at a time when unmanned aircraft play an increasingly important role in the conflict.