Rubio Says Starlink Access Under Discussion for Ukraine
The US Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, stated that Ukraine’s request for access to the military-grade Starshield satellite system for strikes within Russia is under discussion. Restrictions on Starlink terminals have impacted Ukrainian drone operations, but Rubio denied deliberate disruption.
What happened
- US Secretary of State Marco Rubio indicated that Ukraine’s request for access to Starshield, the military-grade version of the Starlink satellite service, is currently under discussion.
- Rubio stated that the system is unavailable to Ukraine at this time.
- SpaceX describes Starshield as a defense product regulated and handled as a commercial product, while Starlink is a commercial internet service.
- Ukrainian officials reported restrictions on Starlink terminals affecting drone operations, particularly those traveling faster than 100 miles per hour, impacting drone warfare and communication.
- Rubio refuted reports of deliberate throttling, stating no one at the White House ordered a reduction in internet speeds.
- SpaceX controls Starshield systems, which are used by US defense agencies, while Starlink is operated by SpaceX.
- The CSS at ETH Zurich noted approximately 50,000 Starlink terminals were in use in Ukraine in 2025, facilitating communication and drone operations.
- Restrictions on Starlink terminals have limited the speed of drones, hindering their ability to transmit live video footage and control them in real-time.
- This impacts Ukraine’s ability to coordinate attacks deep behind enemy lines.
- The combination of Starlink and reconnaissance data from Western partners is considered crucial for Ukraine’s defense strategy.
Original reporting
- Al Jazeera: Rubio says Ukraine without access to Starshield, future ‘under discussion’
2026-10-18T09:42:40+00:00 - Deutsche Welle: Why Starlink is so important for Ukraine
2026-10-18T08:58:00+00:00