Ukraine Confirms Full Satellite Speeds Return After Ten-Day Dispute
Military officials said Starlink terminals are operating at pre-restriction rates, ending a period of capped speeds that disrupted combat missions and intelligence sharing.
By Olivia Miller ·
Ukrainian authorities confirmed on Saturday that their military satellite connections are stable and running at full capacity.
The announcement followed ten days of sudden speed limits on Starlink terminals, a system manufactured by Elon Musk’s SpaceX but managed by the US government. The restrictions capped data speeds at 160km/h, a level officials said was insufficient for modern combat needs.
During the disruption, several Ukrainian combat missions failed due to slow communication links. The military struggled to intercept Russian attack drones, and some operations targeting positions behind enemy lines were cancelled. Additionally, Russian forces fired ballistic missiles at Ukraine without receiving advance warning from US intelligence channels.
The timing of the limits drew immediate political attention because they coincided with President Donald Trump’s announcement of a US deal to purchase Russian diesel. Trump initially denied his administration was responsible for the cut in intelligence sharing. He stated, "I don't know if it was anybody, but it wasn't me, and I don't think it was Elon." Secretary of State Marco Rubio later directed suspicion toward Musk, noting that the president does not directly run the company.
Musk countered that the systems are owned and controlled by the US government. He wrote on X that the US military and the president decide on speed limits. Vice-president JD Vance supported Musk’s position, saying the billionaire did not want to intervene in the war without clear direction from the US government.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy blamed both parties for the disruption. He said the American government sent a message to limit speeds, while SpaceX executed the technical changes. He pointed out that Starshield terminals in EU countries faced no similar restrictions. Zelenskyy described the move as a planned operation that risked human lives.
In a video address on Telegram on Saturday, Zelenskyy announced that Starlink and Starshield had resumed operating at pre-restriction speeds. He said the restoration began overnight and that speeds were sufficient for operational use by morning. He thanked US allies, including Trump and the State Department, for resolving the issue. This restoration allows for better frontline logistics and the defense against jet-powered Shahed drones.
