Ukraine warns of fresh Starshield disruptions as U.S. envoys arrive in Moscow for talks with Putin
Ukraine reported ongoing, system-wide speed restrictions on SpaceX Starshield over its territory, complicating military interception of drones as U.S.-brokered talks shift between Abu Dhabi and Moscow. President Zelenskyy described the disruptions as deliberate, citing a 161 km/h speed cap that disabled fast-moving intercepts and risked frontline operations. The remarks followed trilateral talks in the UAE that yielded no ceasefire breakthrough, while U.S. envoys arrived in Moscow for discussions with Putin. The situation unfolds amid renewed diplomacy and questions about Starshield’s role in the war’s broader strategic dynamics. A path forward remains tied to future negotiations and technical clarifications from the involved parties.
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Zelenskyy accused Ukraine of discovering what he called systematic speed restrictions on Starshield across front-line and temporarily occupied areas for several days, not isolated errors.
The claimed cap effectively limits terminal speeds to 161 kilometers per hour (100 mph), impairing Ukraine's ability to intercept faster, jet-powered drones.
Reports tie the Starshield issue to broader wartime tensions, as U.S.-brokered talks in Abu Dhabi concluded without a ceasefire or territorial settlement breakthrough.
U.S. special envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner arrived in Moscow to discuss a lasting resolution with President Vladimir Putin, signaling continued high-level diplomacy.
The envoy visit follows trilateral talks among Ukraine, Russia, and the United States in the UAE, which did not yield a concrete path to end hostilities, leaving military and diplomatic uncertainties.