New York Times: Starshield restrictions led to loss of Ukrainian drones

Restrictions on the Starshield satellite service have led to the loss of numerous Ukrainian drones and the suspension of combat missions for several days, the American newspaper The New York Times reported today.

An unnamed commander claims that his units lost equipment worth more than a million dollars when their drones suddenly lost contact with their operators.

According to Ukrainian officials, connections were initially lost at speeds of about 65 kilometers per hour. The situation has improved, but connections are still lost above 160 kilometers per hour.

Ukrainian General Andriy Biletsky explains that this restriction existed previously, but was not enforced, allowing flights at speeds of approximately 400 kilometers per hour.

These restrictions particularly hinder interceptor drones, which must exceed the speed of Russian aircraft in order to shoot them down.

Washington denies ordering the degradation of the service.

According to a Ukrainian military source, this interruption spared Russian soldiers and vehicles, at the cost of additional losses among Ukrainian ranks, added the Washington Post.