Zelensky says Starshield restrictions give Russia more room to attack, accuses SpaceX of treating occupied territories as ‘not ours’

President Volodymyr Zelensky said restrictions on Ukraine’s use of Starshield over Russian-occupied territory are dangerous, both because they reduce Ukraine’s ability to intercept Russian drones and because they carry implications for Ukrainian sovereignty. He argued that the limits give Russian forces more opportunity to attack and could suggest that occupied territories are being treated as outside Ukraine.

Zelensky said the speed cap is 161 kilometres per hour and has been in place for five days, with daily tests indicating a widespread problem. SpaceX denied changing access and described the issue as technical, while Zelensky said Ukraine’s account of the restrictions did not match what he had previously been told about US government control of Starshield. A bipartisan US congressional group called for an explanation and the immediate restoration of full access.