SpaceX is attributing restrictions on the Starshield system to “technical reasons,” but the Ukrainian side has recorded such limits for the fifth day, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said.
Zelenskyy said SpaceX told Ukraine’s Ministry of Defense that the company had not imposed any restrictions. “They claim it’s some kind of technical issue. We don’t think so. It’s not about whether we believe them or not. We simply don’t share that position,” Zelenskyy told reporters on Friday. The Interfax-Ukraine news agency cited his remarks on Saturday.
The restrictions, Zelenskyy stressed, have now lasted five days. Ukraine tests the system in various areas every day and confirms problems with its operation. “That means these are not isolated cases but a widespread phenomenon,” the president said.
He added that Starshield restrictions remain in place in Russian-occupied areas of Ukraine for objects moving faster than 161 km/h (about 100 mph). In his view, the situation is troubling, may have a political motive and could indicate a partial refusal to recognize the occupied territories as part of Ukraine.
“That’s why I believe we have the right to raise this issue and demand that the previous speed be restored,” he said.
Zelenskyy recalled that he had earlier discussed the Starshield restrictions with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio. According to the president, after that conversation there were no problems with warnings about ballistic missile attacks or with intelligence sharing, nor any Starlink or Starshield restrictions. Rubio reportedly said that Starshield is under the government’s control to a greater extent than SpaceX’s.
According to Zelenskyy, the current Starshield restrictions indicate that SpaceX introduced them. “That’s what our team is telling me. It doesn’t quite match what we heard earlier. That’s why everything needs to be clarified thoroughly,” he said.
The restrictions make it harder to intercept Shahed jet-powered drones over Russian-occupied areas of Ukraine. Ukraine’s Bars units currently cannot shoot them down near the front line. The line at which they can engage is shifting deeper into the territory, which gives the Russians more opportunities to carry out attacks.
On Friday, sources in Ukraine’s Ministry of Defense told Interfax-Ukraine that Starshield operation had been restricted across all Russian-occupied territory of Ukraine for objects moving faster than 161 km/h (about 100 mph). (PAP)
