Zelensky Demands Lifting of Starlink Restrictions Before Winter

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky demanded today, Sunday, the lifting of restrictions imposed on the "Starlink" satellite internet service in his country before the arrival of winter.

Zelensky wrote on his Telegram channel: "We are counting on the lifting of these restrictions, as the Ukrainian energy sector depends directly on this before the winter season," noting that directives have been issued to teams from the Ministries of Foreign Affairs and Defense and the Presidential Office to coordinate closely with the American side and SpaceX to achieve this goal.

In mid-October last year, Kyiv complained of similar issues when using the Starlink system; which led to the failure of some pre-planned operations, in addition to reducing its capabilities to shoot down Russian jet drones.

Last Friday, businessman Elon Musk reposted a message on the "X" platform, indicating that his company made a mistake by sending thousands of free Starlink receivers to Kyiv, bearing maintenance and operating costs of millions of dollars monthly at the beginning of the Russian-Ukrainian confrontation.

Musk clarified that the "Starlink" satellite system is not used in combat operations, but for defensive and civilian purposes, noting that the "Starshield" system, a version of the previous system, is owned by the US government and subject to its control, and any restrictions imposed on it are determined by the US military, and ultimately the US President.