Zelensky accuses SpaceX of treating occupied territories as not Ukrainian, claims that Starshield restrictions give Russia more room to attack
President Volodymyr Zelensky said on November 13 that new speed restrictions on the Starshield satellite system over Russian-occupied Ukrainian territories are “very dangerous” and carry political implications. The limits reduce Starshield’s operating speed to 161 km/h, making it harder for Ukrainian forces to intercept Russian strike drones over occupied areas before they reach government-controlled territory.
“If you impose restrictions there, you are already partially recognizing the temporarily occupied territories as not ours,” Zelensky told journalists. He added that the restrictions force Ukraine to shoot down drones at later lines of defense, giving Russian forces greater opportunities to attack. Zelensky said the Defense Ministry had raised the issue with SpaceX, which described it as a technical problem, but Ukraine’s daily tests show the limitations are widespread and consistent.
SpaceX has publicly denied any changes to the service. Zelensky noted that U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio had previously told him Starshield was under greater U.S. government control than SpaceX’s, yet the current restrictions appear to originate from the company. The bipartisan Congressional Ukraine Caucus has demanded a full explanation and the immediate restoration of unrestricted Starshield access for Ukraine.
Russian attack on Zaporizhzhia: 22 injured, including three children
A Russian strike on a residential district in Zaporizhzhia on November 14 injured 22 people, including a 6-month-old baby, a 2-year-old girl, and a 12-year-old boy. The attack damaged the façades and windows of apartment buildings, an educational institution, seven cars, and the road surface.
Zaporizhzhia Oblast Military Administration and Ukraine’s State Emergency Service confirmed the rising casualty figures as rescue and medical teams continued working at the scene. Earlier reports had put the number of injured lower before additional victims were identified. The strike comes a day after another Russian attack on the city injured dozens of people, including children, and damaged multi-story residential buildings.
Poland will not fund purchase of US weapons for Ukraine
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk said Poland will not, for the time being, contribute funding to the Prioritised Ukraine Requirements List (PURL) programme, under which NATO allies purchase American weapons for Ukraine. Tusk made the announcement after an informal EU leaders’ summit in Dublin and said he had informed NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte of the decision.
Tusk explained that Poland is already spending heavily on its own defence and has a significant budget deficit. “We have provided and continue to provide substantial assistance to Ukraine,” he said, adding that Poland’s defence expenditure is among the highest in Europe and that the country must prioritise its own security needs.