Zelenskyy: Starshield Restrictions Hamper Efforts to Protect Ukraine’s Energy Infrastructure From Russian Attacks

Reform.news Editorial Team · 15 November 2026, 15:29

https://reform.news/en/zelenskyy-starshield-restrictions-hamper-efforts-to-protect-ukraine-s-energy-infrastructure-from-russian-attacks/

Over the past week, Russia has used more than 2,300 attack drones, 1,590 guided aerial bombs and 15 missiles of various types against Ukraine. This was reported by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

According to him, Russian forces attacked energy facilities in the Zaporizhzhia, Sumy, Odesa, Zhytomyr and Kirovohrad regions overnight on November 15 and in the morning. Railway infrastructure in the Dnipropetrovsk, Kharkiv and Zaporizhzhia regions was also targeted. In addition, Russian forces struck the Donetsk and Kyiv regions. Sixteen people are reported to have been injured.

Zelenskyy noted that restrictions on the operating speed of Starshield satellite communication terminals along the front line and in occupied territories are hampering Ukrainian interceptor drones. He expressed hope that the restrictions would be lifted, saying that the protection of civilians and energy infrastructure ahead of winter depended on it.

“Our interceptor drones lose connection with their operators at a speed of 161 kilometres per hour (100 miles per hour) and simply cannot catch up with Russian jet-powered Shahed drones. We hope these restrictions will be lifted. The protection of lives and Ukraine’s energy infrastructure ahead of winter depends on resolving this issue. Instructions have been given to the leadership of the Foreign Ministry, the Defence Ministry and the Office of the President to work as closely as possible with the US side and SpaceX. It is important to be on the right side of history,” he said.