Ukraine's "Star Shield" Limited Speed: Who Issued the Order Remains a Mystery

[Global Times Special Correspondent Chen Yang] Several Western media outlets recently reported that as part of the pressure on Ukraine, the United States suddenly imposed speed limits on the "Star Shield" terminals—military versions of the SpaceX "Starlink" satellite communication system—used extensively by the Ukrainian military starting from the night of the 13th, forcing the Ukrainian military to cancel multiple combat missions. However, the truth of the matter soon became a "Rashomon" situation: SpaceX CEO Elon Musk stated that the relevant speed limit order came from the White House, while U.S. President Trump denied any involvement, and Ukrainian President Zelensky stated on the 17th that the speed limit issue with the "Star Shield" terminals had not yet been resolved.

According to AFP, on the evening of October 13, SpaceX implemented speed limits on the operational satellite communication terminals without issuing any warnings to the Ukrainian Defense Forces. Zelensky's technical advisor, Biskrestnov, clearly stated on the social media platform Telegram that the speed limit directly affected the "Star Shield" military service package, and when the movement speed exceeded 100 miles per hour (approximately 160 kilometers), the "Star Shield" terminal would cease operation.

The Ukrainian Army's 7th Rapid Reaction Corps, deployed in southeastern Ukraine, confirmed to Reuters that it had been forced to cancel some missions. The corps revealed in a statement that the impact of the speed limit on the "Star Shield" terminals was particularly evident: "According to our observations, when the drone's flight speed reaches 110 to 120 kilometers per hour, the communication connection may be interrupted for 10 to 20 seconds. Although the drone continues to fly, the communication interruption increases the difficulty of control."

In fact, not only is the "Star Shield" terminal an essential core equipment for the Ukrainian military's long-range attack drones and for airdropping supplies to the front lines, but it also plays a key role in guiding the Ukrainian military to intercept and shoot down Russian drones, directly affecting the operational command of the Ukrainian forces. Since the early days of the Russia-Ukraine conflict, the Ukrainian military has extensively utilized "Starlink" (later more frequently using the military version "Star Shield") to maintain the operation of command centers, relay real-time reconnaissance data from drones to artillery units, and coordinate combat operations in areas where ground communication facilities have been destroyed.

The Financial Times revealed that the Ukrainian military uses the "Star Shield" system for battlefield communication, employing it as an alternative to radio control for drones due to its far superior anti-jamming capabilities compared to traditional radio communications.

The recent speed limit issue with the "Star Shield" system not only directly affects drone strike operations but also further impacts the communication command of the Ukrainian military. Reuters reported on the 16th that Ukrainian artillery units operating on the front lines in Donbas stated that after news emerged that the "Star Shield" terminal mounted on drones would be limited in speed during high-speed movement, they also found that the communication speed of "Starlink" at the front line positions had significantly decreased, stating, "The internet speed at our position has deteriorated significantly, and communication with the command post and superiors has also worsened considerably."

Regarding the sudden speed limit on the Ukrainian military's "Star Shield" terminals, there is a widespread belief that it is related to the recent escalation of tensions between the Trump administration in the U.S. and Ukraine. Previously, some media speculated that the sudden speed limit on the Ukrainian military's "Star Shield" terminals was initiated by Musk, as he publicly expressed support for Trump's criticisms of Zelensky and had previously intervened in Ukrainian military operations by limiting "Starlink" capabilities. British media cited sources saying that the speed reduction of "Star Shield" was a suggestion Musk proactively made to Trump, who also expressed "agreement" with it. However, Musk recently stated on social media, "The 'Star Shield' system is owned and controlled by the U.S. government. Any restrictions on its speed or use are determined by the U.S. military and ultimately finalized by the U.S. president."

Additionally, Reuters also cited multiple officials confirming that the speed limit order for "Star Shield" indeed came from within the White House. However, this claim was denied by Trump. He stated to reporters outside the White House on the 16th that he had never ordered restrictions on Ukraine's use of the "Star Shield" system. When asked whether it was he or Musk who made this decision, Trump responded, "Not me, and I don't think it was Elon (Musk)."

Regardless of who issued the speed limit order for "Star Shield," the predicament facing Ukraine remains unresolved. The Kyiv Times reported that European supporters of Ukraine are already exploring possible alternatives to "Starlink." However, EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Borrell admitted on the 16th that Europe currently has no way to provide capabilities similar to "Starlink."