Russia Stalks Ukrainian Satellite as Starlink Speed Limits Cripple Drone Ops

A Russian spacecraft has maneuvered dangerously close to a satellite used by Ukraine, raising alarms about the safety of critical imagery systems, even as Ukrainian forces grapple with ongoing disruptions to their Starlink internet service that have rendered some attack drones unusable [266463][264884].

The Russian vehicle, designated Kosmos 2612, closed in on Ukraine's ICEYE-X36 satellite from hundreds of kilometers away, reaching what observers described as "extreme proximity" [266463]. The maneuver has raised concerns about the security of the satellite, which provides essential imagery for Ukraine's military operations [266463].

Meanwhile, Ukraine's military has reported that temporary speed limits on Starlink internet have disrupted battlefield missions, with drone operators saying the restrictions have made some attack drones unusable as of Saturday [264884][263776]. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said the slowdown put lives at risk, and Kyiv called the restrictions deliberate while Washington denied ordering them [264353][265550].

US senators are now calling for an investigation into the restrictions [263776]. The dispute has also sparked a broader debate about how much influence the US government has over Starlink, a service owned by Elon Musk's SpaceX that provides high-speed internet through thousands of small satellites in low Earth orbit [264747][265180].

US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent warned Zelenskyy to "be very careful" about claims that Washington is limiting Ukraine's access to Starlink, highlighting growing tension between Kyiv and Washington over US support [265346].

The Starlink system is considered critical to Ukraine's defense, supporting military communications, drone operations, and civilian services, especially in areas where traditional networks have been destroyed [265180]. The dependence on the private American company has made Ukraine's digital lifeline a point of pressure in the war [265180].

Zelenskyy has also accused US President Donald Trump of pressuring Kyiv into surrendering to Russia, saying in an interview that "steps have been taken to convince Ukraine to capitulate" [265641]. He said the US has deliberately slowed Starlink speeds and delayed deliveries of Patriot missile interceptors [265641].

Trump defended his decision to ease sanctions on Russia after reaching an agreement with Vladimir Putin to supply Russian oil to global markets, writing on Truth Social that he is "negotiating peace in the war between Russia and Ukraine" and does not want to "recklessly push Russia away from the negotiating table" [265641].

Putin is pushing a plan to end the war, but the terms appear to favor Moscow and are expected to face strong resistance from Kyiv and its allies [266329].

In a separate development, Ukraine has opened its first war-crime case against a ship captain accused of carrying off 54,000 tons of stolen grain [266043]. Prosecutors say the captain of the vessel Matros Pozynich oversaw the removal of the grain from Ukrainian territory [266043].

Ukraine's Khartiia corps has also accused Russian forces of using civilians as human shields near Kupiansk before shelling them, with aerial reconnaissance footage recording casualties among a group that included two women and a child [261512].