Ukrainian forces have lost numerous drones worth more than $1 million following disruptions to the US Starshield satellite communications system, The New York Times (NYT) reported, citing an unnamed commander of a Ukrainian military unit.

According to the officer, the drones suddenly lost contact with their ground operators, who relied on the Starshield satellite network to control the aircraft. Without a stable communications link, many of the UAVs stopped receiving commands and fell to the ground.

The commander said the connectivity problems forced Ukrainian troops to almost completely suspend frontline operations for three days.

The disruptions also severely hampered the use of interceptor drones deployed by Ukrainian forces to counter Russian UAVs.

The first reports of satellite communications problems in Ukraine emerged on October 14.

Meanwhile, members of Ukraine’s military and political leadership suspect that the restrictions may have been introduced at the initiative of US President Donald Trump’s administration.

Officials in Kiev believe Washington may have deliberately limited access to satellite communications as punishment for Ukrainian drone strikes against Russian oil refineries.