By — Samya Kullab, Associated Press Samya Kullab, Associated Press Leave your feedback Share Copy URL https://www.pbs.org/newshour/world/zelenskyy-says-starshield-restrictions-threaten-ukraines-energy-defenses-ahead-of-winter Email Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Tumblr Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Zelenskyy says Starshield restrictions threaten Ukraine's energy defenses ahead of winter World Nov 15, 2026 1:40 PM EST KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — Restrictions on Ukraine's Starshield satellite communications system are hindering its ability to intercept Russian drones, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Sunday. He warned that limitations on the system, operated by Elon Musk's SpaceX, could weaken defenses around Ukraine's energy infrastructure ahead of the winter months, when Moscow has repeatedly targeted the power grid. READ MORE: Zelenskyy says a new European security framework floated by U.S. could benefit Putin Ukraine's interceptor drones continue to lose contact with their operators when flying faster than 161 kph (100 mph) along the front line and over Russian-occupied territory, leaving them unable to catch Russian Shahed drones, Zelenskyy said. "We are counting on these restrictions to be lifted," he wrote on social media. "The protection of lives and Ukrainian energy infrastructure before winter depends on…
Zelenskyy says Starshield restrictions threaten Ukraine's energy defenses ahead of winter
In short
The satellite connectivity failures specifically impact Ukrainian defense drones traveling faster than 161 kph, preventing them from neutralizing incoming Russian Shahed drones. These technical limitations coincide with an intense Russian aerial campaign that unleashed over 2,300 drones, 1,590 guided bombs, and 15 missiles in a single week. The resulting strikes have repeatedly crippled regional utilities, including an attack on the port city of Chornomorsk that cut power to roughly 41,000 customers. Meanwhile, Ukraine has answered with retaliatory strikes on Russian refineries and power substations as cross-border drone warfare expands.
Key points
- Communications restrictions linked to SpaceX limits are hampering Ukraine's capability to…: Communications restrictions linked to SpaceX limits are hampering Ukraine's capability to intercept hostile Shahed drones.
- Massive Russian aerial bombardments continue to severely degrade Ukraine's utility grid p…: Massive Russian aerial bombardments continue to severely degrade Ukraine's utility grid prior to the winter season.
- Retaliatory Ukrainian operations and collateral Black Sea drone strikes are increasingly…: Retaliatory Ukrainian operations and collateral Black Sea drone strikes are increasingly threatening regional energy infrastructure and commercial shipping.