Ukraine's Starlink Faces Speed Limits Amidst Political Tensions
Zelensky visits Downing Street as critical satellite communications system experiences operational restrictions, sparking blame and diplomatic friction.
Callum Smith
Volodymyr Zelensky visited Downing Street and was welcomed by the Prime Minister.
The Ukrainian military reported Tuesday night that the Starlink satellite communications system no longer functioned on terminals moving at speeds exceeding 100mph (160km/h). SpaceX maintains Starlink is not licensed to clients using weapons.
Elon Musk stated, "Any limits on speed or usage are decided by the US military and ultimately POTUS." Musk publicly attributed the decision to impose the speed limit on Starshield, a SpaceX business unit developing military and intelligence satellite systems for the Pentagon, to Donald Trump.
He further clarified that "Starshield systems are owned and controlled by the US government." Separately, Donald Trump's administration relaxed sanctions on Russian diesel, a move reportedly following 'repeated' US requests to Zelensky.
Any limits on speed or usage are decided by the US military and ultimately POTUS.
Donald Trump denied on Tuesday that his administration had cut intelligence sharing. Washington has reportedly pressured Kyiv to stop striking Russian refineries, citing a need to lower American fuel prices.
President Volodymyr Zelensky has since resumed strikes on Russian oil refineries after previously pausing them, declaring, "The block on attacking refineries is out. We’re done."
A drone attack on Russia's Ryazan region caused a fire at an oil refinery. A fuel terminal in Rostov-on-Don reportedly reignited after a previous fire.
The block on attacking refineries is out. We’re done.
Russia launched more missiles and drones at Ukrainian cities, knocking out power to hundreds of thousands. Ukraine's military reported a lack of US early-warning alerts for incoming ballistic missiles.
The UK will provide £17 million to Ukraine for critical repairs to the Chernobyl power plant, part of a wider international program coordinated by the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, working with the Ukrainian government and G7 donors.
A Russian drone strike last year reportedly damaged the New Safe Confinement (NSC), which covers the remains of the number 4 reactor unit at Chernobyl.
Skills minister Baroness Jacqui Smith stated, "I think we have shown clearly what our position is with respect to Ukraine. We will continue to make the case to the US and other allies that we think they should be providing the kind of support that we are providing to Ukraine."
Prime Minister Andy Burnham reportedly met with Volodymyr Zelensky in Downing Street and vowed that the UK's support for Ukraine will not change.
The Prime Minister stated that President Putin is at fault for the conflict and has ignored calls for an energy ceasefire and refused negotiations.
Elsewhere, European delegates reportedly rejected a US plan to unfreeze Russian sovereign assets. Europe is largely dependent on US systems for low-orbit satellite communications and space-based infrared sensing for early-warning systems.
Donald Trump suggested Ukraine requires a new leader and claimed Vladimir Putin desires a peace deal more than the government in Kyiv.
President Zelensky is scheduled to address EU leaders in Brussels, having previously observed of leaders, "He speaks about it openly and loudly that he loves such people and he respects such people."