Zelensky Says Starshield Speed Limits Still in Place; Patriot Interceptor Deliveries Still Delayed
KYIV — Ukrainian officials said on Friday morning that restrictions on the military-grade Starshield satellite service remain in place, complicating Kyiv's war effort, despite U.S. President Donald Trump's claim on Thursday that Elon Musk had restored Ukraine's access, CNN reported on October 23.
A Ukrainian Defense Ministry source told CNN on Friday morning that "there is currently no confirmation that the restrictions have been lifted," and that "instances of signal loss are still being observed" for any military ordnance travelling above 100 miles per hour (161 kilometers per hour). "There are definitely speed limits; nothing has changed yet, at least from what I can see here," a Ukrainian Armed Forces officer told CNN. "It makes coordination difficult; sometimes there are interruptions. The connection drops out for 10 to 15 seconds." The officer added: "We lost a lot of assets, much more than usual."
A third source familiar with the situation told CNN on Thursday afternoon that speeds are not unlimited, and any restored access is "clearly not enough to intercept jet-powered drones" launched by Russia.
"The speed limits on Starlink and Starshield are still there, and the speed has not been restored," Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said in remarks on Friday afternoon Kyiv time. Regarding Ukraine's critical shortage of U.S.-made Patriot interceptors, he said: "The delivery of interceptors to protect us against Russian ballistic missiles is still delayed. We are waiting for interceptors that were already agreed on, but they are still not coming."
Trump told reporters on Thursday that Musk had "put it back," and said Friday he would speak to Musk if the issue isn't fixed to get Ukraine's access "straightened out." Pressed on who ordered the slowdown in the first place, Trump said, "I have no idea, but I wouldn't tell you if I did."
(GSM, based on CNN)
Source: GSM · America
Source: GSM · USA (original Chinese edition)
Photo: 星链卫星划过德国 Tübingen 市政厅上空的夜空（资料图）。照片：Dktue，CC0，经 Wikimedia Commons。 / A Starlink satellite trail crosses the night sky over the Tübingen town hall (file photo). Photo: Dktue, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons.
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