Ukraine Regains Full Satellite Speeds After Week of Military Disruption

Ukraine reported on Saturday that satellite internet speeds have returned to pre-disruption levels after a week of throttling that hampered military operations. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced the change on X, stating that both the Starlink network and the Starshield military system are now operating at their previous high speeds. The restoration began overnight, ending a period where connectivity was capped at roughly 100 mph, a limit that Defense Ministry officials said interfered with drone interception and front-line missions.

The Defense Ministry confirmed the recovery through its monitoring systems, noting that connectivity is now stable at speeds above 250 mph. Starlink has been a central component of Ukraine's defense infrastructure since Russia's full-scale invasion. The network supports drone operations, military logistics, and communications for soldiers. It also plays a role in protecting Ukrainian territory from Iranian-made Shahed drones deployed by Russian forces.

Defense Minister Yevhen Khmara attributed the restoration to direct dialogue led by Zelenskyy. He stated that the result is critical for service members, drone operations, logistics, and communications along the front line. Zelenskyy thanked American officials, including members of Congress, the State Department, and President Donald Trump, for their role in the process.

The cause of the slowdown created tension between Washington and Kyiv. Zelenskyy told NBC that Ukrainian officials believed the U.S. government initiated the restrictions, claiming SpaceX acted on a message from the American government. Elon Musk, the SpaceX CEO, wrote on X on October 14 that Starshield is owned and controlled by the U.S. government. He noted that limits on speed and usage are decided by the U.S. military and ultimately the President.

The Trump administration has denied interfering with Ukraine's access to the system. Speaking to reporters on Friday, Trump declined to identify who ordered the restrictions. He said, "I wouldn't tell you if I did know." Trump also defended Musk, describing him as a fair person who never does anything wrong.

The restoration occurs as the U.S. leads a renewed push for peace talks. Russia has agreed to a trilateral meeting with Ukraine and the United States next month. The two sides also agreed to a localized ceasefire in Oleshky, a Russian-occupied southern city. The White House said First Lady Melania Trump brokered the deal, which includes humanitarian aid and civilian evacuation due to a growing food crisis.

Combat continues in other areas. On Saturday, Ukrainian forces attacked a chemical plant in the Russian city of Tolyatti. In Kyiv, a Russian drone struck a residential building in the Obolon District, starting a fire.