Volodymyr Zelensky has accused SpaceX of maintaining speed restrictions on Starshield, its military-focused satellite communications system, saying they are leaving Ukrainian forces less able to intercept Russian drones.

The restrictions have been in place for five days, with terminals in Russian-occupied territory capped at 161km/h, he said.

“We do not believe that is the case,” Zelensky told reporters on Saturday, rejecting SpaceX’s explanation that the problem was technical.

He also warned that restricting the service in occupied territory amounted to partially recognising those areas as no longer Ukrainian. “If you impose restrictions there, you are already partially recognising the temporarily occupied territories as not ours,” he said.

Ukraine’s envoy in Washington Denys Sienik told RFE that the restrictions were widespread. SpaceX has denied making any changes to its service.