Ukraine Confirms Full Starlink Speeds Restored After Ten-Day Military Standoff

Ukraine’s government announced that its military has regained a stable connection to Starlink, ending a ten-day period of abrupt restrictions that disrupted combat operations. The satellite terminals, manufactured by Elon Musk’s SpaceX but managed by the US government, serve as a critical component of Ukrainian defense infrastructure.

For the past ten days, speed limits on these terminals capped operational velocity at 160 kilometers per hour, or 99 miles per hour. This throttling forced the cancellation of several missions targeting positions behind enemy lines and hindered the interception of Russian attack drones. The restrictions also allowed Russia to launch ballistic missiles without prior intelligence warnings from Washington.

The timing of the speed cuts coincided with Donald Trump’s announcement of a US deal to purchase Russian diesel. The president initially distanced himself from the decision, stating, "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 reinforced this separation, noting that the president does not run SpaceX and cannot directly direct its operations.

Musk pushed back against the administration, writing on X that the systems are owned and controlled by the US government. He argued that any limits on speed or usage are determined by the US military and ultimately the president. Vice-president JD Vance supported Musk, stating that the billionaire does not wish to intervene in a conflict between two state actors without explicit government direction.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy attributed the disruption to both parties, explaining that the American government sent the message to limit speed while SpaceX executed the technical changes. He emphasized that similar restrictions were not applied to Starshield terminals in EU countries, describing the move as a planned operation that would result in human losses.

On Saturday, Zelenskyy confirmed the restoration of full speeds in a Telegram video address. He thanked US allies, including Trump and the State Department, for resolving the issue. The system began operating at pre-restriction levels overnight, with speeds becoming sufficient for operational use by morning. This recovery is essential for frontline logistics and for defending against jet-powered Shahed drones.

The situation remained ambiguous earlier in the week. On Thursday, Trump claimed the service was back at full speed, though a European official told the Associated Press that it was not fully functioning. On Friday, when asked 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. He added that if a problem exists, he will get it straightened out, calling Musk very brilliant and very good.