Starlink Speeds: Ukraine Back to 250 Mph

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced on Saturday that the Starlink and Starshield satellite networks have returned to their pre-disruption speeds. The restoration took effect overnight, ending more than a week of reduced connectivity across Ukraine. Zelenskyy stated on the social media platform X that the current speeds are now at the required level for military and civilian use.

The Defense Ministry confirmed the recovery through its monitoring systems. Connectivity is holding stable at speeds above 250 mph. For the past week, restrictions had capped these speeds at roughly 100 mph. The ministry reported that the lower speeds hampered efforts to intercept drones and disrupted various military missions. Starlink serves as the backbone for Ukrainian drone operations, logistics, and front-line communications. It also plays a role in defending against Iranian-made Shahed drones used by Russia.

Defense Minister Yevhen Khmara attributed the resolution to direct dialogue led by Zelenskyy. Khmara noted that the outcome is vital for service members, drone units, and logistics teams. Zelenskyy extended thanks to American officials, specifically naming members of Congress, the State Department, and President Donald Trump. This acknowledgment followed a period of tension regarding who controlled the network's bandwidth.

The origin of the slowdown remained a point of friction between Washington and Kyiv. Ukrainian officials told NBC's Meet the Press that they believed the U.S. government was behind the restrictions. They cited a message sent to SpaceX from the American government. On Oct. 14, SpaceX CEO Elon Musk wrote on X that Starshield is owned and controlled by the U.S. government. He stated that speed limits are decided by the U.S. military and ultimately the president.

The Trump administration has denied interfering with Ukraine's access to the service. Speaking to reporters on Friday, Trump declined to identify who ordered the restrictions. He said he would not reveal the information even if he knew it. Trump also defended Musk, describing him as a fair person who never does anything wrong. The restoration occurs as the U.S. pushes for peace talks, with a trilateral meeting scheduled for next month.

A localized ceasefire in the Russian-occupied city of Oleshky was also agreed upon. The White House credited First Lady Melania Trump with brokering that deal, which includes humanitarian aid and civilian evacuation. Fighting continued elsewhere on Saturday. Ukraine attacked a chemical plant in the Russian city of Tolyatti, while a Russian drone struck a residential building in Kyiv's Obolon District, starting a fire.