Starlink terminals operations restricted in Ukraine overnight

Ukrainian forces reported restrictions on the military use of SpaceX's Starlink satellite communications system on Wednesday, saying an overnight change disrupted several drone missions amid escalating tensions between Kyiv and Washington.

The restrictions appear to affect StarShield, the military-grade version of the satellite communications service, with connectivity reportedly cut when terminals move at speeds exceeding approximately 160 kilometres per hour.

Serhiy Beskrestnov, an adviser to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on military technology, known as "Flash", said SpaceX had introduced the speed limit overnight without notifying Ukrainian forces.

"Our defence forces did not receive a warning about this limitation and this led to the disruption of several missions," Beskrestnov wrote on Telegram.