---
title: "Zelenskyy Reports Systemic Starshield Failures Over Ukraine: Speed Capped at 161 km/h"
description: "On November 12, Volodymyr Zelenskyy reported systemic Starshield failures over Ukraine with speeds capped at 161 km/h, hindering drone interception. According to Reuters, the restriction order came from the White House."
date: 2026-11-12T09:23:31.405Z
lang: en
url: https://xab.info/en/posts/starshield-failures-ukraine-zelenskyy-161-kmh
tags: [starlink, starshield, ukraine, space-x, elon-musk, white-house, drone-interceptors]
author: "Alexander Buran"
publisher: "XAB.info"
---

# Zelenskyy Reports Systemic Starshield Failures Over Ukraine: Speed Capped at 161 km/h

![Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy wearing a black t-shirt with the trident emblem against the backdrop of destruction](https://xab.info/media/2026/11/12/sboi-starshield-ukraina-zelensky-161-km-ch/sboi-starshield-ukraina-zelensky-161-km-ch-1.webp)

## Key Points

- Zelenskyy reported on November 12 about multi-day Starshield disruptions along the frontline and in occupied territory
- A systemic speed restriction of 161 km/h (100 mph) is in effect
- The restrictions complicate the interception of Russian jet drones and the use of mid-strikes
- According to Reuters, the order to restrict Starshield came from the White House
- Kyiv is clarifying circumstances through contacts with Washington; previously, on October 24, high-speed operations were restored

On November 12, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced significant disruptions in the operation of the Starshield satellite system—the military version of the Starlink service—over the country's territory. According to him, the issues have been recorded for several days along the entire frontline and in temporarily occupied territory. The head of state wrote about this in his Telegram channel, as cited by RBC-Ukraine.

### What the President Stated

According to Zelenskyy, on November 12 he listened to reports from Ukrainian Defense Minister Yevhen Khmara and AFU Commander-in-Chief Mykhailo Drapatyi. "Unfortunately, our units have been recording significant disruptions in Starshield operations over Ukrainian territory for several days now: along the entire frontline and in the temporarily occupied territory. In particular, systemic speed limitations of Starshield are in effect at the level of 161 kilometers per hour (100 miles per hour)," the president said. He emphasized that the Defense Forces have already checked the circumstances of the incident and established that this is not a matter of random errors, but a systemic speed restriction.

### How This Affects Defense

The president explained that the disruptions primarily complicate the interception of Russian jet-powered drones. "Unfortunately, there have already been hits because the weapon systems do not develop sufficient speed and fail to intercept targets in time. Unfortunately, this helps Russians kill more Ukrainians and inflict more precision strikes on Ukraine," Zelenskyy stated. According to RBC-Ukraine sources, the introduced restrictions have also complicated the use of mid-strikes—interceptors drones used by the Ukrainian military to destroy Russian Shaheds.

### Chronology of Restrictions

Problems with military-grade Starlink terminals had been recorded earlier as well. On October 14, the military version of satellite communications stopped working correctly when moving at speeds exceeding approximately 160 km/h: upon exceeding the limit, the terminals lost connection, which negatively affected the operation of interceptor drones. On the same day, Zelenskyy appealed to Elon Musk urging him to resolve the issue, warning of the risk of new casualties. On the evening of October 14, the Ministry of Defense reported an improvement in communication quality at speeds up to 160 km/h, while the restriction at the 161 km/h level remained in effect. Later, on October 24, RBC-Ukraine sources in the Ministry of Defense reported the restoration of military Starlink operations at speeds exceeding 161 km/h. Thus, as of November 12, the restrictions came into force again.

### Source of the Order — The White House

According to Reuters, citing two U.S. officials and one Western country representative, the order to restrict Starshield operations for the Ukrainian military came from the White House. The leadership of the U.S. Department of Defense, which is the largest customer of Starshield, received a message about the need to limit the service's operation. The agency's interlocutors, speaking on condition of anonymity, did not specify who exactly in the administration made this decision and who was responsible for its execution. A high-ranking U.S. official, commenting on the order, noted that frontline communication problems arose after President Donald Trump increased pressure on Ukraine, demanding an end to strikes on Russian oil refineries, which, according to him, affect petroleum product prices and the Republican Party's prospects in the November midterm elections.

### Reaction and Next Steps

Kyiv, according to Zelenskyy, is already doing everything possible to clarify the circumstances of what happened through contacts with Washington. A reminder of the system's importance was also voiced by the American side: on October 24, Elon Musk stated that without Starlink, the Ukrainian front "would immediately collapse." Subsequently, it became known that Democrats are preparing an investigation against Musk due to the slowdown of Starshield in Ukraine. Thus, the November 12 incident became a new stage in a series of restrictions that, according to Kyiv's assessment, directly affect the ability of the Defense Forces to intercept aerial targets.

## Fact-Check & Sources

- [В работе Starshield над Украиной снова начались значительные сбои, - Зеленский](https://www.rbc.ua/ukr/news/roboti-starshield-ukrayinoyu-znovu-pochalisya-1794475058.html) - Primary source: Zelenskyy's statement on Nov 12, Khmara and Drapatyi reports, 161 km/h limit, chronology of Oct 14 and Oct 24, appeal to Musk, Democrats' investigation.
- [Приказ об ограничении работы Starshield для Украины поступил из Белого дома — Reuters](https://zn.ua/usa/prikaz-ob-ohranichenii-raboty-starshield-dlja-ukrainy-postupil-iz-beloho-doma-reuters.html) - Reuters: order from the White House, two U.S. officials and a Western country representative; Pentagon is the largest customer of Starshield; terminals operate up to 100 mph (160 km/h).
- [Белый дом приказал ограничить работу системы Starshield для Украины, — Reuters](https://focus.ua/politics/771379-pereboi-so-starlink-kto-prikazal-pentagonu-vvesti-ogranicheniya-dlya-ukrainy) - Confirms the White House directive; U.S. official comment regarding Trump's pressure amid strikes on oil refineries and November elections.
- [Starlink снова работает на полной скорости в Украине: почему это важно](https://charter97.org/ru/news/2026/10/24/703057/) - Context from Oct 24, 2026: restoration of Starlink operations at full speed; importance of the system for the frontline.

## FAQ

### What exactly is happening with Starshield according to Zelenskyy's statement?

The president reported that significant Starshield disruptions have been recorded for several days along the entire frontline and in the temporarily occupied territory, specifically noting a systemic speed limit at 161 km/h (100 miles per hour).

### Who, according to Reuters, restricted Starshield's operation?

According to Reuters, citing two U.S. officials and a Western country representative, the restriction order came from the White House; the U.S. Department of Defense leadership received instructions to limit the service. Who exactly made the decision is not specified.

### How do the restrictions affect Ukraine's defense?

According to Zelenskyy, the restrictions complicate the interception of Russian jet drones because the weapon systems do not develop sufficient speed; RBC-Ukraine sources note this also complicates the use of mid-strikes.

### Have there been similar disruptions before?

Yes. On October 14, military Starlink stopped working at speeds over ~160 km/h, connection was improved to 160 km/h that evening, and on October 24, Ministry of Defense sources reported the restoration of operations at speeds over 161 km/h. On November 12, Zelenskyy announced new disruptions.