# WarTalk: Michael Kofman on Starshield throttling and lessons from Ukraine's drone war

> Original title: WarTalk: Kofman on Why Russia's Doing Badly

- Source: ChinaTalk
- Published: 2026-11-02T16:32:01.000Z
- Bad Influence: https://badinfluence.news/items/hwqwc682pxsu4ecn66lolqg6f
- Original: https://www.chinatalk.media/p/wartalk-kofman-on-starlink-what-ukraine

## Summary

Michael Kofman explains that a U.S.-approved throttle on Starshield, the government-managed subscription on SpaceX's Starlink constellation, cut Ukrainian forces' long-range strike drones and jet-powered interceptors. He argues Washington's aims are unclear, that U.S. leverage remains substantial, and that buying drones requires drone platoons and force design choices. The discussion also covers deception, decoys, and wet-gap crossings.