Ukraine Confirms Starlink Speeds Back to Normal

The Ukrainian government confirmed on Saturday that its military satellite connections are stable again. The announcement came ten days after sudden speed restrictions were applied to Starlink terminals, which are manufactured by SpaceX and managed by the US government. These systems serve as a critical component of Ukrainian military operations.

The previous limits capped data speeds at 160 kilometers per hour, or 99 miles per hour. This reduction caused several combat missions to fail earlier this month. The slower connection hindered the military's ability to intercept Russian attack drones. Additionally, some operations targeting locations behind enemy lines were canceled. Russian forces were also able to launch ballistic missiles at Ukraine without advance warning from the United States.

The restrictions coincided with the announcement of a US deal to purchase Russian diesel. President Donald Trump initially denied that his administration was responsible for cutting intelligence sharing. "I don't know if it was anybody, but it wasn't me, and I don't think it was Elon," Trump said, referencing SpaceX chief executive Elon Musk. Secretary of State Marco Rubio defended Trump last Wednesday, stating that the president does not run the company and cannot direct its decisions. Rubio noted that the president has nothing to do with the choices made by Starlink, Starshield, or Musk.

Musk placed the responsibility on the US administration. Writing on the social media platform X, he stated that the systems are owned and controlled by the US government. He explained that limits on speed or usage are determined by the US military and ultimately the president. Vice-president JD Vance supported Musk on Thursday, saying the billionaire does not want to intervene in a conflict between two state actors without effective direction from the US government.

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy blamed both parties for the disruption. "It was a message from [the] American government to limit the speed," he said. "And technically, SpaceX did it." Zelenskyy pointed out that Starshield terminals in European Union countries did not face similar restrictions. He described the decision as a planned operation and warned that it would result in human losses.

Zelenskyy announced the restoration of the system in a video address on Telegram. He thanked US allies, including Trump and the State Department, for resolving the issue. Zelenskyy said that Starlink and Starshield had resumed operating at their pre-restriction speeds. The restoration began overnight, and by morning, speeds were sufficient for operational use. This improvement is important for frontline logistics and for defending against jet-powered Shahed drones.

The situation had been unclear earlier in the week. Trump claimed on Thursday that the service was back at full speed, but a European official told the Associated Press that it was not fully functioning. When asked on Friday if he would tell Musk to stop interfering with Ukraine's access, Trump said he had not spoken to the billionaire but might have to. "If there is a problem, I'll get it straightened out," Trump said, describing Musk as very brilliant and very good.