---
title: "Zelenskyy: Starshield speed limit of 161 km/h in occupied territories makes intercepting 'Shaheds' impossible"
description: "Zelenskyy at the EPC summit announced a recurring Starshield speed limit of 161 km/h in occupied territories, hindering the interception of 'Shahed' drones."
date: 2026-11-12T15:05:57.490Z
lang: en
url: https://xab.info/en/posts/zelenskyy-starshield-speed-limit-shahed
tags: [ukraine, starshield, starlink, zelensky, drones, shahed, european-political-community, defense, internet-throttling]
author: "Alexander Buran"
publisher: "XAB.info"
---

# Zelenskyy: Starshield speed limit of 161 km/h in occupied territories makes intercepting 'Shaheds' impossible

![Volodymyr Zelenskyy looking seriously at the camera during an official event while wearing khaki](https://xab.info/media/2026/11/12/zelensky-starshield-ogranichenie-skorosti-shahedy/zelensky-starshield-ogranichenie-skorosti-shahedy-1.webp)

## Key Points

- Zelenskyy reported at the IX EPC summit that Starshield speed has been restricted to 161 km/h in temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine
- The speed limit hinders the interception of 'Shahed' jet drones, as interceptors cannot keep up with the targets
- Zelenskyy linked the decision to the US position, which he believes fails to recognize occupied territories as Ukrainian
- Presidential advisor Beskrestnov confirmed the speed limit; disruptions are recorded along the entire front line
- Kyiv is seeking details from the US, but no official public explanation has been provided by Washington

During his speech at the IX European Political Community summit, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced a renewed speed limitation on Starshield satellite internet services within Ukrainian territory. According to him, the speed has again been fixed at 161 kilometers per hour (100 miles per hour), with the restrictions primarily affecting the temporarily occupied parts of the country. The head of state called this situation "bad news" and emphasized that it has direct consequences for Ukraine's defense capabilities.

### Direct link to intercepting jet-powered drones

Zelenskyy explained that the Starshield speed limit directly impacts the ability of Ukrainian forces to intercept Russian "Shahed" jet-powered drones. He stated that these drones are launched from occupied territories, and due to the reduced satellite data transmission speed, interceptors cannot catch up to their targets. The President noted that Ukraine cannot utilize aviation near the front line—only drone interceptors can operate there, and they depend critically on data transmission speeds. Without the necessary bandwidth, shooting down jet drones becomes significantly more difficult, which, according to Zelenskyy, leads to more Russian strikes reaching their targets and civilians losing their lives.

### "It tells us where things are heading"

Addressing the summit participants, Zelenskyy expressed concern that the decisions regarding speed limits are being made in the US. "If someone in America makes decisions by effectively treating Ukrainian territory as if it were not Ukrainian, then it tells us where things are heading," the President stated. He emphasized that Ukraine must not and will not recognize the occupation of its territory by an aggressor nation under any circumstances. Furthermore, Zelenskyy added that Kyiv is attempting to obtain details from the American side regarding the reasons and mechanisms behind these restrictions, though it currently possesses very limited information.

### Confirmation from the defense ministry

Presidential advisor on defense technology development Serhii "Flash" Beskrestnov confirmed that the speed of Starlink (Starshield) while in motion has been restricted once again. Previously, Zelenskyy had reported significant service disruptions of the satellite system over Ukrainian territory lasting for several days. These were recorded along the entire front line as well as in the so-called occupied territories. Thus, the problem is systemic in nature and affects not just one sector, but the front-line zone as a whole.

### Context: why Starshield speed is critical for air defense

The Starshield satellite internet system, adapted for military use, provides a communication channel between operators of interceptor drones and the units themselves. Jet-powered "Shaheds" reach speeds significantly higher than 161 km/h, and for successful interception at low altitude, minimal latency in command transmission is required. Capping the speed at 100 miles per hour, according to the logic presented by Zelenskyy, creates a "blind window" where the interceptor physically cannot lock onto its target. This transforms a bandwidth restriction from a technical issue into a factor directly impacting the number of civilian casualties. According to the President, Kyiv continues to demand clarifications from Washington, but no public comments from American agencies regarding this episode had been made at the time of Zelenskyy's speech.

## Fact-Check & Sources

- ["Это говорит о том, куда все двигается": Зеленский сделал заявление о проблемах со Starshield](https://www.rbc.ua/ukr/news/tse-govorit-te-kudi-ruhaetsya-zelenskiy-zrobiv-1794488133.html) - Zelenskyy's statement at the IX EPC summit, confirmed by Beskrestnov. The specific 161 km/h figure and the mechanism of the restriction are based on statements by Ukrainian officials; there is no independent confirmation from the US or SpaceX in the source.

## FAQ

### What exactly is the Starshield speed limit reported?

According to Zelenskyy, the speed is capped at 161 kilometers per hour (100 miles per hour), a figure he cited during his speech at the IX European Political Community summit.

### How does the speed limit affect Ukraine's defense?

Zelenskyy explained that reduced satellite channel speeds prevent interceptor drones from catching up to Russian 'Shaheds' launched from occupied areas. Since aviation cannot be used near the front, these drones are the primary countermeasure, and their efficiency depends directly on data transmission speeds.

### Has anyone else confirmed the speed restriction?

Yes, presidential advisor for defense technology Serhii 'Flash' Beskrestnov confirmed that Starlink speed while in motion has been limited again. Zelenskyy previously reported systemic Starshield outages along the front line for several days.

### What is the US response to Zelenskyy's statement?

The provided sources contain no public commentary from US agencies or SpaceX regarding this episode. Zelenskyy stated that Kyiv is trying to obtain details from the American side but currently has very limited information.