Zelenskyy Says Russian Strikes Hit Eight Ukrainian Regions as Starshield Limits Hinder Defense

Russia struck energy and railway infrastructure across eight regions of Ukraine overnight, according to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. He stated on X that Russian forces used Shahed drones to target electrical substations during the assault. Zelenskyy blamed the success of many of these strikes on ongoing operational speed restrictions placed on SpaceX Starshield terminals along the front line and in temporarily occupied areas.

Context

Starshield is a satellite-based communication network designed for government and military use, providing critical internet connectivity in combat zones where local ground infrastructure is damaged. Ukraine has heavily relied on such satellite terminals to coordinate military operations and maintain basic communication amid ongoing conflict. Technical restrictions on communication hardware in active war zones often involve complex policy and security decisions by technology providers.