--- title: "Zelenskyy: Starlink Check in EU Shows Communications Restrictions in Ukraine Are a 'Planned Operation'" description: "Zelenskyy stated that a Starlink test in the EU confirmed targeted communications restrictions in Ukraine. According to him, this is a 'planned operation' rather than technical glitches." date: 2026-10-17T16:12:39.045Z lang: en url: https://xab.info/en/posts/zelenskyy-starlink-restrictions-planned-operation tags: [starlink, ukraine, zelensky, spacex, starshield, drones, us-ukraine, elon-musk] author: "Andrey Kosynko" publisher: "XAB.info" --- # Zelenskyy: Starlink Check in EU Shows Communications Restrictions in Ukraine Are a 'Planned Operation' ![Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy sits against the backdrop of Ukrainian and American flags](https://xab.info/media/2026/10/17/zelensky-starlink-ogranicheniya-planirovannaya-operatsiya/zelensky-starlink-ogranicheniya-planirovannaya-operatsiya-1.webp) ## Key Points - Ukraine tested Starlink in the EU: at 180 km/h terminals work without glitches, while in Ukraine communications cut off at 161 km/h - Zelenskyy called the restrictions a 'planned operation' and stated that negotiations with SpaceX and the US have not yet yielded an answer - The White House and Trump deny involvement in the restrictions; The Telegraph reports that Musk proposed the limit to Trump and he agreed Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy told journalists that the Ukrainian side tested the operation of Starlink terminals in the European Union and found significant differences in their performance compared to Ukrainian territory. According to the head of state, the test results lead to the conclusion that the restriction of satellite communications in Ukraine is part of a targeted, 'planned operation.' This was reported by RBC-Ukraine, citing Zelenskyy's direct statement. ### Why Ukraine Needs Starlink: From Water Delivery to Intercepting Shaheds Zelenskyy emphasized the critical importance of Starlink satellite communications for Ukraine, noting that it is used by both frontline military personnel and civilian users. In particular, using drones equipped with Starlink terminals, Ukrainian soldiers are able to deliver food and water to positions where ground vehicles cannot reach. The president also specifically highlighted the use of terminals in interceptor drones designed to combat jet-powered Shaheds and other high-speed unmanned aerial vehicles. These very drones, he said, suffer the most from the current restrictions. ### The 161 km/h Threshold: When the Operator Loses the Drone According to Zelenskyy, due to speed restrictions, interceptor drones cannot fully perform their tasks. When a drone accelerates to 161 km/h, the Starlink terminal disconnects, and operators lose contact with the device. This makes it impossible to use Starlink or Starshield to shoot down jet Shaheds on Ukrainian territory. The president concluded that Ukraine currently lacks this capability. ### EU Test: 180 km/h Without Glitches To determine whether the problems were related to technical malfunctions of SpaceX equipment or if targeted restrictions were in place, the Ukrainian side conducted a control test in EU countries. 'We sent a couple of cars with Starlink to the territory of EU countries, and they drove at a speed of 180 km/h, and Starlink works,' Zelenskyy explained. According to him, the test results indicate that the restrictions apply exclusively to the territory of Ukraine. 'The conclusion is that the restrictions are in effect on the territory of Ukraine, meaning this is a planned operation,' the president added. ### Negotiations Without Answers: Military, Ministry of Defense, and Diplomats Zelenskyy stated that the Ukrainian side is conducting negotiations at various levels: the military, the Ministry of Defense, and diplomats are involved in the process. Ukraine is also trying to contact SpaceX directly. However, as the president noted, Ukrainian military and Ministry of Defense representatives have not yet received an answer. 'At various levels, they say these are technical problems, but as I said, these problems exist in Ukraine; on the territory of the EU, these problems do not exist. We checked this,' he stressed. ### Who Made the Decision: Conflicting Statements The restriction on the military version of Starshield satellite communications became known on October 14, 2026, when terminals on Ukrainian drones began losing connection at speeds exceeding 160 km/h. On the same day, the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine launched negotiations with the US, SpaceX, and NATO partners. Elon Musk stated that the speed limit for Starshield is determined by the US military, and the final decision depends on the US President. Meanwhile, the White House denied the Donald Trump administration's involvement in the restrictions, and Trump himself also stated he had was not involved. However, according to The Telegraph, Elon Musk himself proposed to Donald Trump that the speed of the military version of Starlink for Ukraine be restricted. Four sources of the publication claim that the US President agreed with this proposal and gave the 'green light' to the Pentagon. This version was also confirmed by a European official and two Ukrainian sources. ## Accounts differ ### Who initiated and approved the Starshield speed restriction for Ukraine - **White House / Donald Trump:** The Trump administration is not involved in the Starlink restrictions for Ukraine ([rbc.ua](https://www.rbc.ua/ukr/news/zelenskiy-obmezhennya-starlink-ukrayini-tse-1792239184.html)) - **The Telegraph (four sources, a European official, two Ukrainian sources):** Elon Musk proposed that Trump restrict Starshield speed for Ukraine, Trump agreed and gave the Pentagon the 'green light' ([rbc.ua](https://www.rbc.ua/ukr/news/zelenskiy-obmezhennya-starlink-ukrayini-tse-1792239184.html)) - **Elon Musk:** The speed limit for Starshield is determined by the US military, and the final decision depends on the US President ([rbc.ua](https://www.rbc.ua/ukr/news/zelenskiy-obmezhennya-starlink-ukrayini-tse-1792239184.html)) - **Volodymyr Zelenskyy:** Testing in the EU showed that the restrictions apply only to the territory of Ukraine and are a 'planned operation' ([rbc.ua](https://www.rbc.ua/ukr/news/zelenskiy-obmezhennya-starlink-ukrayini-tse-1792239184.html)) *Where they agree:* The Starshield speed restriction on Ukrainian territory exists and affects the operation of interceptor drones — all parties acknowledge this ## Fact-Check & Sources - [Зеленский об ограничениях Starlink в Украине: "Это спланированная операция"](https://www.rbc.ua/ukr/news/zelenskiy-obmezhennya-starlink-ukrayini-tse-1792239184.html) - Primary source: Zelenskyy's direct statement about testing Starlink in the EU, speeds of 180 km/h in the EU vs 161 km/h in Ukraine, and negotiations at various levels. All quotes and facts in the article are taken from this source. ## FAQ ### What exactly did Ukraine test in EU countries? The Ukrainian side sent a couple of cars with Starlink terminals to EU countries. The cars drove at 180 km/h, and Starlink worked without disconnections. This made it possible to compare with the situation in Ukraine, where communications cut off at a speed of 161 km/h. ### Why is the speed restriction critical for Ukraine? Interceptor drones using Starlink to combat jet Shaheds cannot fully perform their tasks: at 161 km/h the terminal turns off and operators lose contact with the drone. Starlink is also used to deliver food and water to positions inaccessible to ground vehicles. ### Who initiated the restriction, according to The Telegraph? According to The Telegraph, Elon Musk proposed to Donald Trump to limit the speed of Starshield for Ukraine, and Trump agreed, giving the Pentagon the 'green light.' This version was confirmed by four publication sources, a European official, and two Ukrainian sources. At the same time, the White House and Trump himself publicly deny involvement. ### Has Ukraine received an answer from SpaceX or the Pentagon? According to Zelenskyy, Ukrainian military and Ministry of Defense representatives have not yet received an answer. At various levels, they are informed that these are 'technical problems,' but testing in the EU showed that such problems do not exist outside Ukraine.