Ukraine's Military Drones Went Useless Above 100 M.P.H.
Musk says Washington sets its limits.
Up First from NPR · Trump's Midterm Travel, Ukraine Starshield Restrictions, Houthis Attack AramcoUkraine's military drones suddenly went blind above 100 miles an hour.
The satellite link connecting each drone to its operator cut out automatically at that speed, a routine cruising speed, rendering the aircraft useless.
The link is Starshield, the military version of Elon Musk's Starlink satellite internet service, which Ukraine uses to steer attack drones aimed at Russia and defensive drones used to stop Russian airstrikes.
Ukraine's Defense Ministry now says the system is working normally again. Why the cutoff happened, and whether it was deliberate, remains unexplained.
But in a post on X, Elon Musk, the billionaire behind the system, said Starshield is controlled by the U.S. government, and that any limits on speed or use are set by the U.S. military and, ultimately, the president. So far, his account is the only explanation on the record. Neither the White House nor the Defense Department has spoken publicly about the episode.
Questions people ask
What is the difference between Starlink and Starshield?
Starlink is the commercial satellite internet service that provides connectivity to homes, businesses, and Ukrainian troops in the field. Starshield is a hardened, military version built on the same satellite technology but designed for U.S. government and defense use, with added security and control features.
Why would a 100-mph cutoff disable a military drone?
Many strike and interceptor drones routinely cruise well above 100 mph to reach targets and evade defenses. If the control and video signal drops at that speed, operators cannot steer the aircraft or aim it, so the drone cannot complete its mission.
Has Washington restricted Ukraine's use of American-supplied weapons before?
Yes. For much of the war, the United States placed geographic and technical limits on some donated weapons, including long-range missiles and targeting support, out of concern about escalation with Russia. Those restrictions have been tightened, loosened, and debated several times as battlefield conditions changed.