Ukraine Regains Full Satellite Speed

Ukrainian military units can once again maintain satellite connections while moving at speeds exceeding 400 kilometers per hour. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced this restoration on Telegram on October 24, marking the end of a nearly two-week period during which network speeds were capped at approximately 161 kilometers per hour. The change directly affects the ability of drone interceptors and other fast-moving assets to stay connected to the Starshield system, a military-grade service developed by SpaceX that operates alongside the commercial Starlink network.

The restrictions began in early October when Ukrainian officials reported that satellite links would drop if equipment exceeded 100 miles per hour. Defense Minister Yevheniy Khmara told RFE/RL that monitoring data showed connectivity was restored on vehicles traveling faster than 250 mph. Khmara attributed the fix to direct dialogue between Kyiv and Washington, as well as the president's persistent stance on the issue.

The cause of the slowdown remains debated. Serhiy Beskrestnov, a defense technology adviser to Zelenskyy, suggested the limits may be linked to recent tensions between the two nations, though no official connection has been confirmed. Elon Musk stated that the US government controls Starshield, with President Donald Trump holding final decision-making power. The Trump administration has denied that it requested the changes, despite reports from the Wall Street Journal indicating that Trump called Musk to urge the removal of the restrictions.

US lawmakers from both parties have sought answers regarding who authorized the speed limits and demanded guarantees of continued reliable access for Ukraine. Trump responded to inquiries by saying he would straighten out any problems. This dispute arose alongside other US actions that Kyiv and Western allies view as favoring Russian interests, including a deal to encourage Russian diesel exports and the waiver of sanctions scheduled to take effect under a law signed last month.

Fighting continued overnight despite the diplomatic shifts. Ukrainian air defense forces reported shooting down 100 of 130 drones launched by Russia. At least two people were killed in attacks on 15 locations. The Ukrainian General Staff said its forces struck two industrial facilities and a military airport inside Russia. One target in Oryol produces components for cruise and ballistic missiles, while a facility in Togliatti manufactures rubber products used in solid rocket fuel.

In occupied Crimea, most regions lost electricity in the early hours of October 24. Cities including Simferopol, Sevastopol, Yalta, Kerch, and Feodosia were affected. NetBlocks recorded an almost complete loss of internet connectivity. Russian-appointed authorities stated that mobile service reached only 40 percent of the area and that public electric transport was suspended in Sevastopol. Water pressure dropped to sporadic levels in affected zones.

Sergei Aksyonov, the head of the Russian occupation administration, blamed the power outage on a drone attack that damaged main power lines outside Crimea. Ukrainian monitoring channels reported a fire at the Taman electrical substation in Russia's Krasnodar region, which supplies power to Crimea across the Kerch Strait. Ukraine has not yet commented on the incident, and the cause has not been independently verified. As a fifth wartime winter approaches, peace talks remain stalled with the Kremlin offering no new concessions.