Starlink Speed Limits Cripple Ukrainian Long-Range Drone Operations
Washington reportedly imposed speed restrictions on Starlink terminals used by Ukrainian forces after Zelensky criticized Trump over a proposed pause on strikes against Russian refineries. The limits prevent terminals from working on airborne drones, undermining a key part of Ukraine’s long-range strike capability. During the same night, ballistic missiles hit several Kyiv thermal power plants and a major retail distribution center in Khmelnytskyi, causing power outages and extensive damage.
The reported Starlink restrictions followed Zelenskyy’s criticism of Trump over a proposed pause on refinery strikes. A former defense ministry adviser, Serhiy Sternenko, said troops confirmed connectivity degrades at 60–70 km/h, making airborne terminal use—especially on fixed-wing drones—unworkable. Moscow had already moved to proprietary drone-control systems, including mesh networks.
Overnight, ballistic missiles hit Kyiv’s TEC-4, TEC-5 and TEC-6, plus Trypilska and Kyivska stations, causing outages and transport disruption with no advance warning. In Khmelnytskyi, the last major Epicenter distribution hub was struck ten times, sparking five fires and destroying about 85% of goods; earlier Kyiv-area Epicenter sites were already gone. Lutsk’s Adrenalin City mall was also hit.
The reported Starlink limits could affect Ukrainian drone crews and communities reliant on long-range strikes, potentially reducing pressure on Russian energy infrastructure. Meanwhile, strikes on power plants and logistics hubs may deepen hardships for Kyiv residents, workers, and consumers facing outages, transport disruption, and lost goods. The combination may heighten public anxiety about dependence on foreign technology and allies’ conditions, though the full social effects remain uncertain.