„Wir zahlen dafür“: Deutschland fordert Aufhebung der Starlink-Beschränkungen in der Ukraine
https://www.kyivpost.com/post/87287
„Wir zahlen dafür“: Deutschland fordert Aufhebung der Starlink-Beschränkungen in der Ukraine
https://www.kyivpost.com/post/87287
36 Kommentare
Germany has demanded that restrictions on [Starlink satellite communications](https://www.kyivpost.com/topic/starlink) in Ukraine be lifted, arguing that equipment financed by Berlin must remain operational.
Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul said Germany was seeking answers from the US about the disruptions, though it did not yet have a complete picture of their cause, German broadcaster ntv reported.
“These restrictions must be lifted,” Wadephul [said](https://newsukraine.rbc.ua/news/germany-urges-us-to-lift-starlink-restrictions-1792142233.html), arguing that Germany finances some of the Starlink equipment used in Ukraine.
“And so, of course, we insist that it works if we are paying for it. Ukraine must continue to receive full support,” he said.
Wadephul’s remarks added diplomatic pressure over disruptions to a service Ukrainian forces use for communications, drone operations, and frontline logistics. But Wadephul stopped short of identifying who was responsible.
Germany had questions for the US “that we will clarify,” he said.
Sources in Ukraine’s defense ministry told Kyiv Post on Thursday morning, Oct. 15, that Starshield connectivity while in motion had been [restored and remained operational,](https://www.kyivpost.com/post/87154) according to reports from military units. However, the sources did not specify the speeds at which the service was functioning or whether any speed restrictions remained.
The ministry was continuing communications to establish the reasons and circumstances behind the previous day’s restrictions, the sources said.
That update confirmed the resumption of service but did not establish what caused the disruption or how it was resolved.
On Wednesday, ministry sources told Kyiv Post that SpaceX had introduced [speed restrictions](https://www.kyivpost.com/post/87014) overnight without advance warning to Ukraine’s defense forces.
They described a limit of 160 kilometers per hour, or about 100 mph, although units reported losing connectivity at speeds ranging from approximately 72 to 161 km/h (45 to 100 mph).
The restrictions hampered drone missions, including interceptor and medium-range strike operations, and reduced capabilities for logistics, reconnaissance, and communications relay.
Ukraine is[ seeking to raise the operating speed limit to 450 km/h (280 mph)](https://www.kyivpost.com/post/87169?utm_source=chatgpt.com) to allow interceptor drones to pursue faster Russian aerial threats, including jet-powered drones.
Dan Rice, president of American University Kyiv and a former special adviser to Ukraine’s military commander-in-chief, warned that such restrictions could have deadly consequences.
Speaking to[ Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty](https://www.rferl.org/a/zelenskyy-vows-refinery-strikes-us-intel-disruption-russia/33877090.html), Rice described the scale of the threat facing Ukrainian air defenses.
“When you have 500 inbound Shaheeds, jet-powered Shaheeds, and I was hit within 400 meters [1,312 feet] twice this week,” he said, “you need to have interceptors going out to protect Ukrainian civilians.”
Rice warned that interference with high-speed interceptor operations could allow Russian drones to reach civilian targets, including schools, hospitals, and residential buildings.
Retired Rear Adm. Mark Montgomery, a senior fellow at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, said the restrictions also impaired Ukrainian drone missions against Russian military logistics and command facilities approximately 150-250 kilometers (93 to 155 miles) behind Russian lines.
The consequences extend beyond battlefield efficiency.
In an[ interview with Piers Morgan on Wednesday](https://www.kyivpost.com/post/87091), President Volodymyr Zelensky said the restrictions had already cost Ukrainian lives.
“People are dying because of his decision,” Zelensky said.
“I’m sure that they knew what they did. Absolutely,” he added.
However, the Ukrainian leader stopped short of identifying who had ordered the restrictions.
“I don’t know, him or somebody pushed him to… I don’t know really,” Zelensky said when asked whether he was angry with Elon Musk.
“We are professionals. If you are losing the speed of Starlink, we understand what’s going on. So they switched off. That’s their decision,” he added.
The controversy has also clarified who ultimately controls the military satellite system.
Starshield is a government-focused version of SpaceX’s Starlink network, developed for military and national security operations. Unlike commercial Starlink, the Starshield services at issue operate under US government control.
Elon Musk, SpaceX’s chief executive, confirmed Wednesday that restrictions on the system were a government decision.
“Starshield systems are owned and controlled by the US government. Any limits on speed or usage are decided by the US military and ultimately POTUS,” Musk wrote on [X](https://x.com/elonmusk/status/2110445577184133456).
If Musk continues to dick around with Starlink, European countries should pull their spectrum licenses.
I though Poland already paid for it
This would be an incredible opportunity for Germany or the entire EU to blacklist Musk and his companies for consumer fraud, thereby removing Tesla from the local landscape and boosting their own EVs. Trump may retaliate, but at this point, does Europe even care? Want back in? Reactivate what was already paid for along with extra days to make up for those lost, and a penalty for intentionally witholding services.
The only way American billionaires will still toeing Trump’s line is if hurts their chequebook more than doing the right thing.
I’d appreciate it if SpaceX would put Elon Musk on a rocket and launch him into outer space.
His 5 billion children will do a good job spreading all the wealth he’s hoarding too.
Imagine if major road and rail work were to block access to Tesla factories
The USA can no longer be trusted for anything. The rest of the world must build supply chains that bypass them completely.
Please make musk lose a shitton of money. He is a fucking cunt.
Put the US bases in the EU on dialup speeds for a while. See how they like it.
Using terms and conditions against the manufacturer
How very German
Gwan ye , Slava Ukrani
Expecting Washington to honour contracts and the rule of law is hoping for the best these days.
Oh to have been a fly on the wall in the meeting between Wes Streeting and Hegseth.
Everyone worldwide should boycott this fuckers companies.
This is one of the risks of using American tech. They are trying to hold the world hostage.
I’ve heard rumours that only the starshield devices, which are under control of the US, were limited. While all other starlink worked normally.
So everything points directly to Trump.
bottom line – never trust an American
Its good that the rest of the world is starting to play Trump for money. Profits promised from Putin will be income losses from us.
The unsettled, grasping, senile old mountebank will scuttle his own ship chasing mutually exclusive options.
So America does have a kill switch on their defence technologies and actively uses it whilst its customer is fighting for their lives.
Musk is a treasonous POS
Time to use EUTELSAT
Depending on your point of view in who is to blame this can be looked at in multiple ways. If Musk was involved or complicit, stop buying from him and outlaw him from government contracts. If this was a US Administration decision, everyone buying software-controlled weapons from the US should cancel the contracts citing national security. I’m thinking F35s etc. if the US will do this for satellites they most certainly will do it with anything they control.
Remember all this when the USA says their military hardware doesn’t have a remote kill switch that they control.
Removing the Musk/Trump in Russia’s pocket angle…. at the very least, services being withdrawn to a country by a private company based on a decision made in the white house is insane. That is so far away from free market behaviour. It should, on it’s own, start some very big alarm bells ringing everywhere.
Why the hell is the European union getting fucked in the same style as me when I owned a HP printer?
best thing for EU to do is to build something like starlink.
There are Euro satellite internet providers – EU should preference their own satellites
Time for us to make our own
And this is the reason when people ask why Europe is trying to move away from US tech. They will determine your access to tech you thought would protect you but it’s whatever is in their interest.
Realistically, how much work would it be to create an alternative to Starlink?
As an American I’m telling you now. Europe needs to develop its own systems and replace us entirely.
then have the guts to do what Brazil did when they had trouble with X … sanction them
Maybe we should stop privatizing things kinda a national security risk…
I might invest in Eutelsat as part of a long-term strategy after all.
I am ashamed of my countries betrayal.
Is it me or Trump is trying to help Russia as much as possible before the midterms?
This should immediately result in the cancelling of all military purchases from the USA. Remember there is no kill switch in the F35, but… the USA controls all the software (unless you are Israel).