Zelenskyj complains about renewed throttling of Internet from space

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has once again criticized a throttling of the US Starshield satellite internet over Ukraine. “Unfortunately, the speed restrictions remain in place along the entire front line and in the temporarily occupied areas of Ukraine,” Zelensky said in a video message. The Ukrainian foreign and defense ministries have been instructed to raise the problem with "all authorities in America."

"The temporarily occupied territory of Ukraine belongs to us, it is our sovereign territory," emphasized the head of state. The restrictions are a “very bad signal” – they impair Ukraine’s ability to defend against drones. "And it also sends a signal to Russia that America could take a different stance towards our temporarily occupied territories," warned Zelensky. Kyiv is counting on a restoration of speed.

Internet throttling not for the first time

The day before, Zelensky complained about renewed restrictions, especially in the Russian-occupied parts of Ukraine. A comparable throttling already occurred in mid-October. Elon Musk, the owner of the Starlink satellite network, accused Kyiv of using the civilian Starlink for drone attacks, which violated the terms of use. The Starshield military satellite internet, which is also provided by Musk's company SpaceX, is controlled by the US government.

The Ukrainian army has been using Starlink-based internet for its communications since the Russian invasion in February 2022. Flying and floating Ukrainian drones equipped with Starlink terminals also remotely attack targets in the Black Sea and Russian-occupied areas of Ukraine.

Kyiv's troops recently gained territory in Donbass, and Russia was under pressure. Elon Musk can apparently change this on his own and thereby endanger people far behind the front.