Ukraine confirms full Starlink speeds restored after week of military disruption

Ukraine’s military has regained full access to Starlink satellite connections for drones and other high-speed equipment, according to Defense Minister Yevhenii Khmara. The announcement on Saturday concludes a period of speed restrictions that Ukrainian officials say hampered front-line operations for more than a week.

Khmara stated that Defense Ministry monitoring systems now show stable connections for objects traveling faster than 250 mph. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy confirmed that checks verified both Starlink and Starshield, the military-grade variant provided by SpaceX, are operating at required speeds. "Now the speed is what we need," Zelenskyy told reporters, noting that restoration began the previous night and sufficient speeds were available by morning.

The return of full speed is critical for front-line logistics and defense against "Shaheds," Iranian-made drones that Russia launches regularly. Zelenskyy emphasized that the restored service is very important for these specific tactical functions. Commanders previously reported lost drones and disrupted missions during the week of restrictions, which alarmed both military and government officials in Kyiv.

The technical fix arrives as U.S. envoys push for a new diplomatic track to end the war. Russia agreed on Wednesday to resume three-way negotiations with Washington and Kyiv next month. Additionally, Kyiv and Moscow reached a localized ceasefire agreement on Friday around Oleshky, a Russian-occupied town in Ukraine’s southern Kherson region. First lady Melania Trump brokered that truce.

The satellite disruption has complicated the relationship between Kyiv and Washington. Tensions were already high following a reported deal between President Donald Trump and Moscow regarding Russian diesel imports, a move Ukraine viewed as a betrayal. Khmara attributed the resolution to direct dialogue and Zelenskyy’s diplomacy with Washington. He said the outcome matters most for the military’s drone work, logistics, and communications.

Zelenskyy thanked Americans and other partners who took the situation seriously. Questions remain about who ordered the interruptions to the system built by Elon Musk’s company, which Ukraine has relied on for years. Trump has maintained that he did not make the call, while also stating that Musk should not be blamed for the glitch.

Khmara noted that the restoration allows the military to resume normal operations without the previous constraints. The Defense Ministry continues to monitor the connections to ensure stability for fast-moving equipment at the front. The episode underscores the reliance of Ukraine’s defense infrastructure on private satellite technology during the ongoing conflict.