Ukraine’s drones slow down as musk suspects US strategy
Elon Musk and Volodymyr Zelenskyy
SpaceX chief Elon Musk has suggested that restrictions on the speed of some Ukrainian weapons and drones are part of a strategy by the US government. Ukraine has also expressed similar suspicions.
According to Musk, the US military determines the restrictions on the speed and use of Starshield. Ultimately, the US president makes the decision on the matter.
Starlink plays an important role in Ukraine’s military operations. The country uses the service to operate drones against Russian targets. It also helps Ukraine protect its own airspace.
However, Ukraine said that reducing the speed limit for drones on Tuesday night disrupted military operations on the battlefield.
An adviser to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy believes the incident was not a coincidence. It may be linked to recent tensions between Kyiv and Washington.
Referring to Starshield, the military grade version of Starlink’s services, Musk wrote on X that it is owned by the US government and operates under its control. The US military decides on restrictions on its speed and use. The final decision comes from the president.
Since the speed restrictions took effect, Ukrainian officials have been requesting the restoration of normal Starlink connectivity. Zelenskyy is among those who have made the request.
Zelenskyy told British media that he hoped the issue had resulted from a mistake or a major technical problem. However, he said he was not certain. He therefore requested that connectivity be restored.
On Tuesday night, Starlink reduced the speed limit for drones and weapons to 100 miles per hour, or approximately 160 kilometers per hour. As a result, weapons traveling faster than that lost their network connection.
However, Ukraine’s former defense minister Mykhailo Fedorov said connectivity had been partially restored by Wednesday evening.
In a post on X, he said the speed restrictions on Starshield needed to be lifted completely in the interests of Ukraine’s defense. He thanked Musk and sought his continued support.
Musk responded about an hour after Fedorov’s post. He reiterated that the US military determines restrictions on Starshield’s speed and use. The president ultimately makes the decision.
Musk also said Starlink is intended for civilian and defensive purposes. The service should not be used for offensive military operations. In his view, it is inappropriate for commercial companies to become involved in such activities.
The US government did not immediately comment on the matter.
The reduction in Starlink’s speed limit came at a time when Russia was carrying out deadly attacks in Ukraine.
Ukrainian officials said several people had been killed in the attacks in Kyiv. Communication and energy facilities used by Ukraine’s military were also targeted.
Zelenskyy described the Russian assault as one of the largest attacks. According to him, Ukraine’s air defense systems managed to shoot down many drones, but some still struck their targets.
Following the attacks, at least 600,000 people across Ukraine were left without electricity. Local residents said they received no warning before the drones struck.
In a post on Telegram on Wednesday morning, Zelenskyy’s adviser Serhii Beskrestnov said the Starlink restrictions could be linked to the current political situation. In his view, the incident was by no means a coincidence.
Source: BBC (Adapted)
