Zelenskyy confirms satellite speeds back to normal after week of cuts

Ukraine announced on Saturday that the Starlink satellite network and the military Starshield system have returned to their pre-disruption speeds. The restoration followed more than a week of restrictions that had capped data transfer rates. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy confirmed the change began overnight, stating the systems are now operating at the levels required for frontline operations.

The Defense Ministry verified the recovery through its monitoring systems. Connectivity is holding stable at speeds exceeding 250 mph. During the restriction period, speeds were limited to approximately 100 mph. Ministry officials said this reduction impeded the interception of incoming drones and disrupted ongoing missions.

Starlink remains a critical component of Ukraine’s defense infrastructure against Russia’s invasion. The network supports drone operations, supplies logistics such as food and water to troops, and maintains communications along the front line. Zelenskyy noted the service also aids in protecting the country from Iranian-made Shahed drones deployed by Russia.

Defense Minister Yevhen Khmara attributed the fix to direct diplomatic talks led by Zelenskyy. He emphasized the importance of the result for service members, drone units, and communication channels. In a separate post, Zelenskyy thanked American officials, including members of Congress, the State Department, and President Donald Trump.

The cause of the slowdown created friction between Kyiv and Washington. Zelenskyy told NBC’s Meet the Press that Ukrainian officials believed the U.S. government directed the restrictions, claiming SpaceX acted on a message from American authorities. On Oct. 14, SpaceX CEO Elon Musk stated 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 to reporters on Friday, President Trump declined to identify who ordered the cuts. He also defended Musk, describing him as a fair person who never does anything wrong. The restoration occurs as U.S.-led peace efforts accelerate. Russia agreed to a trilateral meeting with Ukraine and the U.S. next month, and both sides agreed to a localized ceasefire in the occupied city of Oleshky to allow for humanitarian aid and civilian evacuation.

Combat operations continue in other regions. On Saturday, Ukrainian forces struck a chemical plant in the Russian city of Tolyatti. Meanwhile, a Russian drone hit a residential building in Kyiv’s Obolon District, starting a fire.