Ukraine’s defense ministry said on Saturday that speeds on the Starlink and Starshield satellite systems had returned to normal and that the connection was stable, after restrictions that Ukrainian officials said had undermined the interception of Russian attack drones and disrupted frontline communications.4,7,3
Ukraine relies on two satellite systems. Starlink, the SpaceX network that Axios described as owned by Elon Musk, is used for communications, ground forces, logistics and defensive drones, the kind that shoot down incoming drones. Starshield, which Axios reported is controlled by the U.S. government, is used for offensive military purposes. France 24 described the SpaceX-made network as crucial to the Ukrainian army’s operations. When Starlink doesn’t operate at full capacity, Axios reported, Ukraine’s ability to gather intelligence, use interceptor drones and conduct long-range strikes against Russia is impeded.4,7
The restrictions were first reported on October 14. Ukrainian officials said they undermined Ukraine’s ability to intercept Russian attack drones and disrupted frontline communications. Axios reported that they also limited the military from using its own drones to send supplies to soldiers on the front lines.4,7
The ministry’s statement credited the lifting of the restrictions to “direct dialogue” and a “firm stance at the highest level” by Zelensky. “Our monitoring systems are detecting a restoration of Starlink/Starshield speeds. We are recording speeds exceeding 400 kilometers per hour, with stable connectivity,” the statement said.4
Evhenii Khmara, the defense minister, gave a similar account. “The ministry of defence’s monitoring systems are recording a return to normal speed for Starlink/Starshield. We are recording a speed of over 400 kph. The connection is stable,” Khmara said. Ukraine’s military does not disclose the systems’ maximum operating speeds.7,3
President Volodymyr Zelensky confirmed on Saturday that the systems had resumed operating at levels from before the limitations were introduced. “The speed is now at the level we need. Restoration began overnight, and by this morning, speeds were already sufficient to use the connection,” he said on the Telegram app.7
Accounts differ on some details. Axios put the restrictions at two weeks, while France 24 described them as lasting over a week. Axios reported that the ministry’s statement said the speed had been fully restored, but France 24 reported that the defense ministry did not say whether service had been fully restored. France 24, citing sources, said connection speeds had been reduced to about 160 kph or less.4,7
Axios reported that the restrictions were at the center of a recent crisis between the Trump administration and the Ukrainian government. It also reported that Zelensky viewed them as retaliation by President Trump and Musk for his refusal to halt strikes against Russian oil refineries.4
The crisis led to bipartisan criticism and pressure, Axios reported, and generated a blame game between the White House and Musk, SpaceX’s founder and CEO. The New York Post’s headline described the episode as a blame game between Musk and the White House.2,4
Trump denied that the White House was involved in restricting the system. For several days, Axios reported, he said the system was fully back on. On Friday he denied reports that he had spoken to Musk, but said that if the system was still restricted he would speak to Musk about it.4
The reports do not say who imposed the restrictions, and no statement from Musk or SpaceX about the restrictions or their lifting has been reported.2,4,7
In its statement, the ministry said: “Monitoring systems had previously recorded disruptions to the Starlink/Starshield service. The speed metrics have now returned to normal.”7
