Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky has reported ongoing limitations affecting Starlink and Starshield services, which are crucial for Ukrainian forces' communications, particularly on the battlefield. The extent to which these services are restricted and who controls these limitations remains a subject of conflicting accounts from U.S. officials and Elon Musk, the founder of SpaceX, the company that operates the satellite internet constellations.
Ukraine utilizes both the civilian Starlink service and the more secure Starshield for its operations. These networks, comprising approximately 10,000 satellites, provide vital connectivity, especially in areas where terrestrial infrastructure is damaged or inaccessible. For Ukrainian drone operators, Starshield offers the capability to view targets in real-time and control interceptor drones, underscoring the technology's importance in modern warfare.