Zelenskyy urges removal of Starshield limits on Ukraine

Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said the US should remove any restrictions on the Starshield satellite internet system being removed.

Kyiv is “counting” on the move due to severe damage to civilian infrastructure as a result of Russian attacksZelenskyy said, also adding photos from eight locations in his country.

“The protection of lives and Ukraine’s energy infrastructure ahead of winter directly depends on this,” Zelenskyy posted on his X account.

The sattellite-based internet system was limited to slower speeds in October, with the limitations only being lifted due to Ukraine’s criticism.

Ukraine leader Zelenskyy said he had instructed several ministries, including the Ministry of Defense and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, to “work as closely as possible” with the US and Starshield owner Elon Musk‘s SpaceX, also saying the system’s throttling helped Russian attacks.

A building damaged during a Russian drone strike, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in the city of Chornomorsk — A building was heavily damaged due to a Russian drone in Chornomorsk.Image: Nina Liashonok/REUTERS

According to Zelenskyy, Ukraine’s interceptor drones are not effective due to losing connection with operators at the speed of 161 kilometers per hour. This results in the drones not being able to hit Russian drones or rockets.

Russian attacks continue

The past week, Russian attacks in Ukraine included more than 2,300 drones, 1,590 glide bombs and 15 missiles and cruise missiles, Zelenskyy said, calling Moscow’s strikes “brutal” and saying they are “difficult to counter.”

The US government and SpaceX gave in part contradictory answers to the question of who was responsible for the Starshield speed limit.

A Russian strike on the port city of Chornomorsk resulted in six injuries and damaged energy infrastructure, local authorities said.

Destroyed house after a Russian attack in Zaporizhzhia, Ukraine — Zaporizhzhia was attacked several times in the past daysImage: Ivan Fedorov/Council Defense of the Zaporizhzhia Region

According to the authorities, a facility operated by DTEK Odesa Electric Networks was hit, thus leaving some 41,000 customers without power on a temporary basis.

Six people were also injured after Russian attacks on the city of Zaporizhzhia, with one of those injured being a two-year-old boy, according to Ukraine’s emergency services.

Estonia said Russia was responsible for an attempted arson attack on a drone factory, with the border between the two countries to close, citing “clear evidence” Moscow is behind the attack.