Washington Post
• Mary Ilyushina
Kyiv is pressing President Donald Trump to preserve access to Starlink’s military service, while Russia works on a system intended to match the satellite internet capability. The developments put access to commercial satellite communications and competing wartime infrastructure at the center of the conflict’s space-enabled operations.
Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact
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Kyiv is pressing President Donald Trump to preserve access to Starlink’s military service, while Russia works on a system intended to match the satellite internet capability. The developments put access to commercial satellite communications and competing wartime infrastructure at the center of the conflict’s space-enabled operations.
A security consultant says cancellations, diversions and longer routings are mounting as airlines face shrinking options between Europe and Asia. The restrictions arrive at a difficult time for carriers, adding pressure to route planning across a key corridor, though the reports provide no specific figures on affected flights or costs.
The Pentagon selected KBR’s Firefly system for a pilot program to test defenses against adversarial drones at U.S. military installations. Separately, Hanwha Systems said two laser weapons intercepted all three target drones in a demonstration for the South Korean Army, underscoring parallel efforts to develop directed-energy counter-drone capabilities.
High activity
Ukraine is testing an experimental interceptor drone as Russian forces expand the use of jet-powered attack drones capable of flying at up to 600 km/h. Separate reporting describes Russia rapidly completing a large drone launch base, while Belgium has pledged 10 F-16s to Ukraine, which officials say can help strike the new threat.
Bulgaria has formally asked NATO to deploy combat aircraft and anti-drone systems to strengthen its defenses, Defence Minister Dimitar Stoyanov said. The request follows a series of drone attacks on commercial shipping in the Black Sea, underscoring the security risks facing regional maritime traffic.
Satellites help Ukraine detect when Russian missiles and drones have been launched and provide information that can support interception, making space-based surveillance a key part of the country’s defense alongside weapons. The article describes the role of U.S. space-based capabilities in that effort.
South Korea says it has tested its first domestically developed hypersonic glide vehicle, designed for high-speed maneuverability, precision guidance and extreme heat resistance. North Korea’s missile chief questioned whether the vehicle actually achieved hypersonic flight, according to state media KCNA.
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