Ukraine Regains Full Satellite Speeds After Week of Throttling

Ukraine confirmed on Saturday that the Starlink satellite network and the Starshield military system have returned to their standard operational speeds. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that the restoration began overnight, ending a disruption that lasted more than a week. The Defense Ministry reported that monitoring systems now show connectivity holding stable at speeds above 250 mph.

During the restriction period, speeds were capped at roughly 100 mph. The Defense Ministry said this reduction hampered efforts to intercept drones and disrupted mission capabilities. Starlink serves as a critical infrastructure for Ukraine's defense against Russia's full-scale invasion, supporting drone operations, logistics for food and water distribution, and front line communications. Zelenskyy noted that the service also aids in protecting Ukraine from Iranian made Shahed drones.

Tension between Washington and Kyiv arose over the cause of the slowdown. Zelenskyy told NBC's Meet the Press that Ukrainian officials believed the U.S. government was behind the restrictions, claiming SpaceX acted on a message from American authorities. On October 14, Elon Musk posted on X that Starshield is owned and controlled by the U.S. government, with speed limits decided by the U.S. military and the President. The Trump administration has denied interfering with Ukraine's access to the system. Speaking on Friday, President Donald Trump declined to identify who ordered the restrictions, saying, "I wouldn't tell you if I did know." He also defended Musk, describing him as a fair person who will never do anything wrong.

Defense Minister Yevhen Khmara attributed the restoration to direct dialogue by Zelenskyy. He emphasized that the result is vital for front line service members, drone operations, and logistics. Zelenskyy thanked American allies, including members of Congress, the State Department, and President Trump, for their role in the resolution.

The return to full speeds coincides with a renewed push for peace talks led by the United States. Russia has agreed to a trilateral meeting with Ukraine and the U.S. scheduled for next month. The two sides also agreed to a localized ceasefire in Oleshky, a Russian occupied city in the south. The White House stated that First Lady Melania Trump brokered the deal, which includes humanitarian aid and civilian evacuation plans to address a growing food crisis.

Combat operations continue in other sectors despite the diplomatic developments. On Saturday, Ukrainian forces attacked a chemical plant in the Russian city of Tolyatti. In Kyiv, a Russian drone struck a residential building in the Obolon District, starting a fire.