Ukraine's Starlink Blackout: The Hidden Threat to Drone Warfare

Ukraine's military has reported critical connectivity issues with Starshield, the government and military version of SpaceX's Starlink satellite network, which is used by Ukrainian forces. According to Ukrainian officials, the terminals lost connectivity when moving faster than about 100 mph (160 km/h), and the disruptions severely impacted several military drone missions. The timing and nature of the outages have raised urgent questions about who or what is behind the speed cap and connectivity loss. In this DW News segment, correspondent David Levitz speaks with former US Air Force Major Glenn Ignazio and Russia/Ukraine expert Stephen J. to analyze the technical and geopolitical implications. They explore whether the disruptions are the result of deliberate throttling, technical limitations, or external interference, and what it means for Ukraine's battlefield capabilities. The discussion also delves into the broader reliance on commercial satellite networks in modern warfare and the risks when private infrastructure becomes a strategic asset. As Ukraine continues to defend itself against Russian aggression, the Starlink scare underscores the fragile intersection of technology, security, and international conflict.