Starlink still loses connection at 161 km/h: what is known about the limitations
Фото: REUTERS
Speed restrictions for Starlink/Starshield terminals, which cause satellite communication disruptions, remain in effect as of the morning of October 23. Ukrainian military experts have recorded cases of loss of communication at a speed of 161 km/h, and there is currently no confirmation of the lifting of the restrictions.
This was reported to Ukrainian media by a source in the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine.
“The defense forces, specialists of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine are constantly monitoring the operation of the Starlink/Starshield lines and recording the results. As of this morning, there are still cases of loss of communication at a speed of 161 km/h. There is currently no confirmation that the restrictions have been lifted,” the agency’s interlocutor said.
The absence of signs of lifting restrictions was also reported by the non-staff advisor to the President of Ukraine, Serhiy “Flash” Beskrestnov.
“Currently, we are not recording the removal of restrictions in Starlink. There are isolated cases where Starlink may move slightly faster than the restrictions, but this is likely a consequence of the operation of the SpaceX algorithm or special conditions of use, and not the removal of restrictions,” he explained.
Therefore, as of the morning of October 23, the Ukrainian side has no confirmation that the speed restrictions for Starlink/Starshield satellite communication have been lifted. Monitoring of the systems’ operation is ongoing.
It was previously reported that US Democratic Senator Richard Blumenthal has launched an investigation into Ukraine’s loss of access to the Starshield military satellite system used by the Pentagon. He wants to find out who made the decision to limit the service and whether the US Department of Defense has alternatives in case SpaceX services become unavailable.
It should be noted that the day before, US President Donald Trump said that SpaceX founder Elon Musk had restored access to the Starlink satellite system for Ukraine.
As is known, US Republican Senator Tom Tillis is demanding an investigation into the problems with the Starshield military satellite communications system, which caused the Ukrainian military to face limitations in the system’s operation . He plans to ask the Inspector General of the US Department of Defense to conduct an inspection and report to Congress and the American public.
Recall that on the night of Wednesday, October 14, Starlink terminals began to lose communication while traveling at speeds over 160 km/h . This, according to preliminary data, disrupted a number of important missions. At the same time, conventional satellite communication terminals continue to operate.
Later, Serhiy Beskrestnov, known by the call sign “Flash”, stated that SpaceX had introduced speed restrictions on Starlink terminals during movement . Because of this, the Ukrainian Defense Forces were unable to complete a number of important missions.
At the same time, the 7th Airborne Assault Corps reported that problems arose even at lower speeds. In particular, in the Hulyaipil direction , communication with drones could be lost for 10–20 seconds while flying at a speed of 110–120 km/h.
As reported in the evening of the same day , Ukraine began to resume Starlink operations at speeds of up to 160 km/h . Thanks to this, the Ukrainian military will again be able to use strike drones and interceptor drones, the work of which was complicated by recent restrictions.
By the way, the administration of US President Donald Trump denies involvement in the restrictions on Starlink operations in Ukraine . Washington said it would contact SpaceX to find out the causes of the problems.
In addition, Starlink antennas may have been set on fire in Bulgaria at a secret facility near Sofia. According to preliminary data, the fire damaged 11 of the 17 SpaceX antennas, and two masked men may have been involved in the incident .
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