Starlink speeds restored for Ukraine

Ukrainian military units regained full-speed access to Starlink satellite communications on Saturday, ending a ten-day disruption that compromised frontline logistics and drone defense.

The government stated that the connection is now stable and operating at the levels required for combat. The restoration began overnight and was confirmed by morning, allowing for the interception of Russian attack drones and the execution of missions behind enemy lines.

The sudden speed limits, which capped terminal speeds at 160 kilometers per hour, caused several combat missions to fail earlier this month. The restrictions also prevented the United States from providing advance warning of Russian ballistic missile strikes.

The disruption coincided with the announcement of a US deal to purchase Russian diesel. President Donald Trump initially denied his administration ordered the cuts. He stated, "I don't know if it was anybody, but it wasn't me, and I don't think it was Elon," referring to SpaceX chief executive Elon Musk.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio defended Trump last Wednesday, saying the president does not direct the company. "The president has nothing to do with the decisions that are made by Starlink and Starshield and by Mr Musk," Rubio said.

Musk placed responsibility on the US government, writing on X that the systems are owned and controlled by the state. Vice-president JD Vance supported Musk on Thursday, noting the billionaire does not want to intervene between state actors without government direction.

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy blamed both parties. "It was a message from [the] American government to limit the speed," he said, "and technically, SpaceX did it." He noted that Starshield terminals in the European Union faced no similar restrictions, calling the move a planned operation that risked human losses.

Zelenskyy announced the resolution in a video address on Telegram on Saturday, thanking US allies for the fix. Earlier in the week, Trump claimed the service was fully restored, though a European official disputed that assessment on Friday. Trump said he had not spoken to Musk but would straighten out any remaining problems.