Ukraine cannot track missiles above 160 kph due to satellite limits
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney says the speed cap on Starshield access is causing civilian casualties in Kyiv.
By Layla Fontaine ·
Ukrainian forces have lost the ability to track incoming threats moving faster than 160 kilometres per hour.
Prime Minister Mark Carney stated on Friday in Istanbul that this gap in surveillance is directly costing lives. He described the decision to restrict access to the Starshield network as a failure of judgment by those in charge. Carney noted that Ukraine is fighting against naked aggression to protect its citizens. He said the world is concerned by the move. The restriction limits Ukraine's use of the military-grade satellite system owned by Elon Musk's SpaceX. Ukraine relies on Starshield to spot missiles and jet-powered drones. It also uses the network to guide interceptor drones and spy craft.
The source of the order is disputed. Reuters reported last week that two U.S. officials said the White House issued the directive. The Wall Street Journal reported on Wednesday that Musk ordered the cut personally. Musk maintains that the U.S. government controls Starshield. He says the U.S. military and President Donald Trump decide on restrictions. Trump denied ordering the curbs on Friday. He said he does not know who made the call and would not say even if he did.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy says the speed cap complicates efforts to stop Russian attacks. He stated that the limitation has led to civilian deaths, including children. Carney agreed that the restrictions have human consequences. He pointed to a strike in central Kyiv within the previous 36 hours. He called it a direct hit on citizens with no military target nearby. He described the result as immense human suffering.
Conflicting reports exist regarding the status of the access. Trump said on Thursday that Musk had restored Ukraine's connection. Zelenskyy contradicted this in a CNN interview. He said the system still does not work. Ukrainian military officials confirmed on Friday that the restrictions remain in place. In an NBC interview on Sunday, Zelenskyy said he and his generals believe the U.S. government sent the message to limit speed. He said SpaceX executed the technical change.
The move comes as tensions rise between Kyiv and Washington. Trump is pushing Ukraine to accept stronger terms in a peace deal. He has also urged Kyiv to stop targeting Russian oil refineries. Starshield is not used for those strikes because it does not operate over Russian territory. Carney used the situation to argue that Canada must diversify its alliances. He said relying on an ally that may change its view puts Canadians at risk. He noted that Canada is highly reliant on specific systems in certain countries. That reliance takes time to build sovereign capabilities to replace.
Zelenskyy is moving to reduce his country's dependence on the U.S. network. On Thursday, he signed a letter of intent with Finnish companies Nokia and ICEYE. The goal is to develop a Ukrainian satellite communications network.
