Ukraine Reclaims High-Speed Satellite Links After Week of Limits
President Zelenskyy confirmed the return of full bandwidth for Starlink and Starshield, ending a disruption that impeded drone defenses and frontline logistics.
By Larissa Shah ·
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced on Saturday that satellite communication speeds have returned to pre-restriction levels.
The restoration began overnight, according to Zelenskyy, who posted the update on X. He stated that Starlink and the military's Starshield system are now operating at the speeds required for active defense.
The Defense Ministry verified the recovery through its monitoring systems. Connectivity is holding stable at speeds exceeding 250 miles per hour. This marks a sharp increase from the recent cap of roughly 100 miles per hour, which officials said hindered drone interception and mission planning.
Starlink infrastructure is critical to Ukraine's resistance against Russia. The network supports drone operations, logistics for food and water distribution, and communications along the front line. It also aids in defending against Iranian-made Shahed drones.
Defense Minister Yevhen Khmara attributed the fix to direct dialogue led by Zelenskyy. He emphasized that the result is vital for service members, drone operations, and logistics. Zelenskyy thanked American officials, specifically naming members of Congress, the State Department, and President Donald Trump.
The cause of the slowdown had strained relations between Washington and Kyiv. Zelenskyy told NBC's Meet the Press that Ukrainian officials believed the U.S. government ordered the limits, citing a message from the American government to SpaceX. On Oct. 14, Elon Musk wrote on X that Starshield is owned by the U.S. government and that speed limits are decided by the U.S. military and the president.
The Trump administration has denied interfering with access to the system. On Friday, Trump declined to name who ordered the restrictions, saying, "I wouldn't tell you if I did know." He defended Musk, describing him as a fair person who will never do anything wrong. The restoration occurs as a renewed push for peace talks gains momentum. Russia has agreed to a trilateral meeting with Ukraine and the United States next month. The sides also agreed to a localized ceasefire in the occupied city of Oleshky, a deal brokered by First Lady Melania Trump that includes humanitarian aid and civilian evacuation. Fighting continued on Saturday, with Ukraine attacking a chemical plant in Tolyatti and a Russian drone striking a residential building in Kyiv's Obolon District.
