--- title: "Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky Expresses Concern Over Starshield Performance" url: https://noti.group/ukrainian-president-volodymyr-zelensky-expresses-concern-over/ language: en publisher: "Noti Group" section: "World News" published: 2026-11-15T19:32:39.000Z updated: 2026-11-15T20:29:32.647Z id: db2e91a4-d5bb-4be8-8bd6-b13dba659be2 source: "BBC News World https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c6m25zg88k45o?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss" attribution: "Link to https://noti.group/ukrainian-president-volodymyr-zelensky-expresses-concern-over/ and name Noti Group when you quote or summarize this story." --- # Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky Expresses Concern Over Starshield Performance Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has expressed deep concern over the slow performance of a critical US satellite internet service, hindering Ukraine's efforts to repel Russian attacks. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has expressed deep concern over the slow performance of a critical US satellite internet service, Starshield, which is hindering Ukraine's efforts to repel Russian attacks. "We are counting on these restrictions being lifted," Zelensky emphasized. "The protection of lives and Ukraine's energy infrastructure ahead of winter directly depends on this." The Ukrainian leader believes that swift action is necessary to resolve the issue, given its significant impact on national security. The Starshield system, a military-grade service provided by Elon Musk's company through the US government, has been experiencing speed restrictions for several weeks. This problem has been particularly vexing for Ukraine, which relies heavily on the Starlink service for communications on the battlefield and Starshield for missile and drone interception in its airspace. Zelensky has urged officials to collaborate closely with both the US government and Musk's company to resolve this issue. He emphasized that it is crucial to take a proactive stance and "be on the right side of history." The White House and Starlink have been approached by the BBC for comment, but their responses are still pending. The restrictions imposed on Starlink's operating speed have left Ukraine struggling to intercept Russian jet-powered drones targeting electricity substations. Our interceptor drones lose connection with their operators at a speed of 161km/h and simply cannot catch up with these Russian drones that follow an Iranian design. Ukraine is facing significant challenges in its efforts to defend against these attacks, which are crucial to Russia's war effort. The restrictions on Starlink's operating speed have been enforced since Monday in Russian-occupied areas, but not across the entire country. This limited scope has severely hindered Ukraine's ability to counter these threats. The situation has been exacerbated by a tense diplomatic stand-off between Ukrainian President Zelensky and former US President Trump over Ukrainian strikes on oil infrastructure within Russia. These strikes have pushed global prices higher, according to Trump. The connection issues with Starlink have coincided with this heightened diplomatic tension. Ukraine's struggles to defend against Russian attacks are further complicated by the fact that these jet-powered drones can reach speeds of 161km/h, making them difficult for Ukrainian interceptor drones to catch up with. Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky has issued a stern warning to the US and Elon Musk, urging them to lift restrictions on their Starlink satellite internet service in Ukraine. He believes that imposing such limitations would have far-reaching consequences, effectively acknowledging Russia's control over temporarily occupied territories. The crisis is further complicated by Ukraine's shortage of US-made Patriot interceptors, which are crucial for defending against Russian missile attacks. This vulnerability has allowed Russia to intensify its strikes on Ukrainian targets, causing significant damage and harm to civilians. The situation on the ground remains dire, with multiple regions under siege. Russia launched a series of devastating attacks overnight and into Sunday morning, targeting energy infrastructure in several Ukrainian regions. Strikes were also directed at railway facilities in key areas, including Dnipro, Kharkiv, and Zaporizhzhia. Scores of people are reported to have been injured or killed in these attacks, with some of the worst damage occurring in Donetsk and Kyiv. In response to Russia's aggression, Ukraine has launched its own counterattacks on critical infrastructure in Russian territory. Units of Ukraine's Defence Forces claimed to have reached the central Russian city of Nizhnekamsk, where they targeted a petrochemical plant and an oil refinery. The ongoing conflict in Ukraine has seen a significant escalation in recent days, with Ukrainian forces targeting key Russian enterprises that supply raw materials and fuel to the war effort. Regional governor Yuri Slyusar confirmed that two separate strikes had resulted in casualties in the industrial port city of Taganrog, near the border with Russia. According to Slyusar, one person lost their life in the attack. The occupied Luhansk region also reported fatalities, with a lorry driver and an elderly woman among those killed. The Estonian authorities have announced that they will be shutting down all border crossing points with Russia from December 1, following a suspected sabotage attack on a defence company. Eight individuals were detained in connection with the attempted arson attack on drone maker Threod Systems, which is believed to have been orchestrated by Russia's GRU military intelligence service. Estonia's Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna warned that hostile actions against his country will come with consequences, emphasizing that Russia must understand this reality. --- Source: [BBC News World](https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c6m25zg88k45o?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss) Published by Noti Group: https://noti.group/ukrainian-president-volodymyr-zelensky-expresses-concern-over/