Why is Starlink internet so important on the battlefield in Ukraine?
SpaceX has implemented speed restrictions on Starlink satellite internet usage for drones in Ukraine, impacting military operations. Ukrainian officials report that these limits hinder the ability to intercept Russian drones.
Why it matters
Starlink has become a critical piece of infrastructure for modern warfare, and changes to its functionality have direct consequences on battlefield outcomes.
Image source, Getty Images By Tom McArthur Published 23 minutes ago Starlink satellites operated by Elon Musk's SpaceX provide high-speed internet - something modern war relies heavily on.
Kyiv has adopted it as a vital battlefield communications tool and also uses it in drone warfare.
Using Starlink, Ukrainian drones are able to maintain stronger connections with operators over longer distances than conventional radio networks and are less vulnerable to jamming.
But a sudden speed restriction for drones connected to Starlink means some battlefield "missions" have been disrupted, according to a top Ukrainian official.
Serhiy Beskrestnov also said officials had not been told about the 100mph (160km/h) speed limits set overnight on Tuesday by Elon Musk's SpaceX company.
Throttling drones connected to the network at this relatively low speed makes Ukrainian efforts to intercept jet-powered Russian drones all but useless, according to the Institute for the Study of War (ISW).
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