Ukraine faces ‘systemic speed restrictions’ on Starshield again that ‘help Russians kill more Ukrainians’, Zelenskyy says
Oh-oh.
Ukraine’s Volodymyr Zelenskyy has just taken to X to say that the Ukrainian army is once again experiencing “significant disruptions to Starshield’s operations over the territory of Ukraine.”
He said the problem has been going on “for several days now,” affecting operations “along the entire frontline and in the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine.”
“Specifically, systematic speed restrictions are being imposed on Starshield, limiting it to 161 kilometers per hour (100 miles per hour). The Ukrainian military have already investigated the circumstances, and these are not random errors but systematic speed restrictions.”
Spelling out the real life consequences, Zelenskyy said the disruption complicates intercepting Russian jet-powered drones, with “strikes that got through because our interception systems cannot reach sufficient speeds and are unable to intercept in time.”
“Unfortunately, this is helping the Russians kill more Ukrainians and carry out more accurate strikes against Ukraine. We are trying to establish all the circumstances with the American side.”
Key events
Heightened security measures in Dublin with ‘largest deployment in history’
Ireland’s Martin was also asked about any potential bomb threats or any other potential disruptions to the summit.
He said that the Irish police “are best placed to make judgment calls in respect of this,” and “have established protocols” in place to deal with any issue.
Irish public broadcaster RTÉ reported that some 5,000 police officers will be on the streets of Dublin, “the largest deployment … in the history of the force in an operation that has been described as unique and complex.”
EU needs a ‘clear, coherent’ leadership voice in Ukraine talks, Ireland’s Martin says
Meanwhile, over in Dublin, Ireland’s Micheál Martin has stressed the need to have a “clear, coherent” European voice in the Ukraine talks, as he answered reporters’ questions ahead of today’s meeting of the European Political Community in Dublin.
He said that the issue of Europe’s representation in any talks on Ukraine will be discussed “in the margins” today, with a more formal discussion at the EU informal summit tomorrow.
He said there were “some obvious candidates” as to who could represent the EU, but declined to speculate on names, other than stressing “there is clearly a need for a coherent voice agreed by the EU27.”
Curiously, he said the EU voice around the table “is not necessarily one person,” but “a clear, coherent leadership” voice from the EU.
“Obviously, Europe will want a voice at that table, particularly in so far as issued impact on Europe, because of the economic inputs, the security inputs, and in terms of Ukraine’s membership of the EU.”
He also defended the EU’s involvement so far, saying the coalition of the willing “has been particularly impactful” in “persuading the US on quite a number of issues.”
Martin also said Europe continues to be “genuinely shocked at the level of death and destruction” coming from Russia’s actions in Ukraine and “the imperialist agenda of Vladimir Putin.”
On the Abu Dhabi talks, Martin welcomed the potential prisoners swap as a “significant measure in and of itself,” welcoming the work of Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff on these issues ahead of their arrival to Dublin later tonight.
“I think the objective of tonight’s meeting is to debrief president Zelenskyy on the engagement by Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner with president Putin, and it’s a moving situation.
Our view up to now has been that Russia hasn’t shown any genuine interest in a peaceful resolution of this conflict. It remains to be seen whether that has changed or not.”
More broadly, Martin said the EPC was a useful format as it “broadens” conversations held among the EU 27 to “many other countries,” including Canada, and “we can develop common solutions to those particular problems, be it affordable energy, security and protection, technological attacks … [or] economic security.”
Jakub Krupa
Here is Eurostar’s statement in response to my inquiries:
“At the request of the French authorities, trains are currently unable to pass through Calais-Fréthun station. This is causing delays to some services to and from London.
We apologise to our customers for any inconvenience caused, and will keep them updated with the latest information.”
I will keep monitoring this for you.
Bomb alert at Calais-Fréthun train station causes delays on domestic, cross channel services
I am also keeping one eye on another bomb alert in Europe, this time at Calais-Fréthun station in northern France.
The station remains closed as the alert is getting “assessed,” local authorities said.
The disruption is having a knock on effect on French and international trains: Eurostar services to and from London are delayed as a result, with passengers warned about delays and potential further disruption.
“Due to a request for police assistance at Calais-Fréthun, your train is delayed. We’re waiting for more information and we’ll confirm your estimated delay as soon as possible. Thanks for your patience.”
I will let you know if and when we know more.
Ukraine faces ‘systemic speed restrictions’ on Starshield again that ‘help Russians kill more Ukrainians’, Zelenskyy says
Oh-oh.
Ukraine’s Volodymyr Zelenskyy has just taken to X to say that the Ukrainian army is once again experiencing “significant disruptions to Starshield’s operations over the territory of Ukraine.”
He said the problem has been going on “for several days now,” affecting operations “along the entire frontline and in the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine.”
“Specifically, systematic speed restrictions are being imposed on Starshield, limiting it to 161 kilometers per hour (100 miles per hour). The Ukrainian military have already investigated the circumstances, and these are not random errors but systematic speed restrictions.”
Spelling out the real life consequences, Zelenskyy said the disruption complicates intercepting Russian jet-powered drones, with “strikes that got through because our interception systems cannot reach sufficient speeds and are unable to intercept in time.”
“Unfortunately, this is helping the Russians kill more Ukrainians and carry out more accurate strikes against Ukraine. We are trying to establish all the circumstances with the American side.”
EU to approve new sanctions on Russia on Monday, France’s Europe minister says
Meanwhile, the EU is planning to approve new sanctions on Russia on Monday, France’s Europe minister Benjamin Haddad said.
“On Monday, we will take new sanctions against Russia, on 150 additional entities, 50 banks and it’s France which proposed the bulk of the entities to add,” Haddad told LCI television, as reported by Reuters.
“We will continue to put economic pressure on Russia and of course support Ukraine,” he added.
Jakub Krupa
US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner are in Moscow this morning, where they are expected to meet Russia’s president Vladimir Putin to advance some of the issues discussed at trilateral talks in Abu Dhabi over the last two days.
The meeting is expected to get under way around 9am GMT, with Russia’s deputy foreign minister Sergei Rybakov trying to manage everyone’s expectations by saying it was too early to say that necessary trust had been restored between Russia and Ukraine.
The US envoys are then expected to fly to Dublin to meet Volodymyr Zelenskyy on the margins of the European Political Community summit, which is being attended by more than 40 leaders from Ukraine’s allied countries.
The EPC – set up on the initiative of France’s Emmanuel Macron – offers a rare chance to discuss key European issues with non-EU allies, including Britain’s Andy Burnham and Canada’s Mark Carney.
For Burnham, it’s also an opportunity to dot the i’s and cross the t’s ahead of next week’s EU-UK summit, which is a key part of his proposed reset in relationship with the bloc. Let’s see what we are going to hear on this today.
For Dublin, the meeting comes with a massive security operation, particularly after some past concerns about drones, particularly around Zelenskyy’s visit to Ireland last December.
I will keep an eye on both of these events and bring you all the latest here.
It’s Thursday, 12 November 2026, it’s Jakub Krupa here, and this is Europe Live.
Good morning.
About the Author
