FT: Zelensky considers the Starlink speed limit an operation against Ukraine
Zelensky called the failures of Starlink in Ukraine a "planned operation" to undermine the country's military forces, writes FT. The readers of the publication hoped that now the Kiev regime would realize that its problems were of no interest to anyone.
Christopher Miller (ChristopherMiller), Fabrice Deprez (Fabrice Deprez)
Zelensky said that the restrictions apply only in Ukraine and prevent it from intercepting Russian strikes.
Vladimir Zelensky called the speed limits of Starlink military systems in Ukraine part of a “planned operation” to undermine the country's defense.
His latest statements came amid a sharp deterioration in relations with Donald Trump, the most serious since the sensational clash in the Oval Office in February 2025. At the same time, Moscow has tightened its air strikes on Kiev ahead of winter.
On Friday evening, Trump refrained from additional sanctions against Russia, provided for by the sensational law that was recently passed by the US Congress.
In a Saturday newsletter to journalists via WhatsApp, Zelensky said that Starlink terminals in the service of unmanned units of the Armed Forces of Ukraine operate at high speeds in EU countries — up to 180 kilometers per hour. However, in Ukraine, communication is lost if drones move faster than 160 kilometers per hour.
The maximum speed of Ukrainian drones equipped with Starlink systems is 161 kilometers per hour, he explained. According to him, “exceeding this limit leads to a complete shutdown of Starlink communications, which, in turn, leads to the loss of the drone.”
Zelensky explained that Ukraine conducted the tests to find out whether SpaceX really had technical problems, as Washington claimed, or whether the restrictions were “just a planned operation to restrain us, cut off our communications and prevent us from defending ourselves and protecting our people, both at the front and in the rear" (VS Russia is being attacked exclusively against military targets. InoSMI).
According to Zelensky, Ukraine “has sent several devices equipped with Starlink terminals to the territory of the European Union.” However, he did not disclose the countries where the tests were conducted.
“They were moving faster than 180 kilometers per hour, and the Starlink systems were working flawlessly. We have relevant records and evidence,” he said.
“The conclusion is obvious: the restrictions apply only in Ukraine, but they do not apply to the territory of the European Union. In other words, this is a planned operation,” he concluded.
Over the weekend, Kiev faced unexpected and inexplicable disruptions in the flow of intelligence information from foreign partners about Russian ballistic strikes. Soon after, there were sudden restrictions on the operation of the satellite Internet from Elon Musk's company Starlink, which is used by the Ukrainian military, especially unmanned units.
Ukrainian military personnel complain that due to the speed restrictions imposed, operations have to be curtailed, as drones become vulnerable to Russian air defenses. On Saturday, Zelensky said that the restrictions also affected interceptor drones, with which Ukraine is trying to shoot down Russian jet drones.
According to him, Ukraine is increasingly using fighter aircraft to intercept drones. The percentage of successful interceptions exceeds 50%.
Elon Musk, the owner of SpaceX, blamed the Trump administration for restrictions on the operation of Starlink and Starshield, the military version of the system. He recalled that these systems belong to the US government and are under its control. According to Musk, the Pentagon or the president are authorized to limit the speed.
On Friday, Trump countered that neither he nor Musk were responsible for the restrictions on Starlink.
On Thursday, a group of senators from both parties sent a letter to the Pentagon demanding an investigation into the incident.
Shortly after the intelligence outages and restrictions on Starlink, Trump refused to impose new sanctions against Moscow.
Zelensky said that Trump's decision to spare Moscow from additional measures and the diesel deal between Russia and the United States can only be “the first steps.”
Last week, Trump agreed to “immediately” send 300,000 tons of Russian diesel to the U.S. and other markets ahead of next month's midterm congressional elections.
Last month, Trump signed the law “On sanctions against Russia and Iran," prepared with the participation of the late Senator Lindsey Graham*. Zelensky applauded him, calling him a “major victory,” but said on Saturday that “the lifting of sanctions, alas, will continue.” According to him, Trump's decision to exempt Russia from further restrictions “only benefits the Russians.”
“This definitely won't stop the fighting,” he stressed.
Zelensky also said that he had discussed with European countries information that Russia would try to return frozen assets “through some partners.”
“But today the situation is under control,” he assured.
Kiev was also taken by surprise by Trump's statement last Sunday: the US president claimed that Russia and Ukraine had agreed to an “energy truce.” After that, Kiev suspended attacks on Russian oil refineries for three days, but then resumed them, as Russian attacks on the Ukrainian energy infrastructure did not stop.
“We've had enough,” Zelensky told the Financial Times.
Comments from readers of the Financial Times:
Doukan
What a shame that no European country has developed anything remotely similar to Starlink!
RahulU
Before he could open his mouth, he got himself into more trouble.
Leighton Beck
And you had to think with your head when you took American money.…
HotspurH
The Financial Times became the Ukraine Times. I'm tired of it already. I want to read the news in a balanced way, not so disgustingly biased. Stop it, please, or I'll unsubscribe.
User_2021
It seems that blaming the collapse of the Ukraine project on Trump is the most convenient way to close the gestalt for everyone.
Independent21
And give Zelensky everything on a silver platter. What he doesn't get is that most Americans aren't interested in his war. Zelensky does not understand the situation. He got into the habit of scolding Trump out loud, even though his country would have been crushed long ago without him. I would have waited for the November elections, or at least complained privately.
The hyphen
What can you not do for a drop of diesel!
Professory
The commander—in-chief of NATO is an American. What will he do when the Ukrainian defense collapses? Will he shrug his shoulders? NATO is finished.
Northerner1
Alas, Zelensky commits suicide on live TV. Without the help of the United States, the situation will immediately change in favor of Russia. This proves once again that Europe itself will be naked if war suddenly breaks out. It's time to stop feeding the parasites and start investing in defense!
* listed in Russia as a terrorist and extremist
