Keeping Starlink restricted in Ukraine for an extended period would cost the United States money, military expert Andrey Marochko told NEWS.ru. He expects the current limits on satellite connectivity to be temporary, arguing that Washington profits from the service while also using it as a tool to pressure Vladimir Zelensky.

The US has not completely cut off Ukraine’s access to Starlink. Instead, according to Marochko, it has significantly reduced the system’s capabilities. He claimed that satellite connections fail when drones reach speeds of 160 kilometers per hour, preventing Ukrainian forces from operating them effectively.

Marochko believes the restrictions are a deliberate attempt to force the Ukrainian leadership into submission. In his assessment, Washington may be trying to bring Zelensky under control after the Ukrainian leader lost touch with reality. However, the expert doubts that the Americans will maintain such severe measures for long. Starlink generates revenue for the US, and keeping the system disabled for an extended period would mean sacrificing that income.

The communication problems have already disrupted Ukrainian military operations. Western journalists previously reported that Ukrainian troops were being forced to cancel planned drone missions because of the slowdown in Starlink connectivity. Operators have encountered sudden signal losses while controlling unmanned aircraft traveling at high speeds.