Ukraine restores full satellite speeds for military drones

Ukrainian military forces have regained unrestricted access to Starlink satellite internet, a change that resolves a week-long disruption to front-line operations. Defense Minister Yevhenii Khmara announced the return of full service on Saturday, confirming that speed limits affecting drones and other fast-moving equipment have been lifted.

Khmara stated that ministry monitoring systems now display stable connections for objects traveling faster than 250 mph. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy confirmed that checks verified both the commercial Starlink service and Starshield, the military-grade version developed by SpaceX, are running at their required speeds. Zelenskyy noted that the restoration began the previous night, with sufficient speeds available by morning to support critical logistics and defense against Iranian-made Shahed drones.

The temporary restrictions caused significant friction between Kyiv and Washington. Ukrainian commanders reported that the limits resulted in lost drones and interrupted missions during the disruption period. The incident strained a relationship already tested by reported agreements between the United States and Russia regarding diesel imports, a deal Ukrainian officials viewed as a betrayal of their interests.

The restoration of satellite speeds coincides with a renewed diplomatic effort to end the war. U.S. envoys are pushing for a conclusion to the conflict, and Russia agreed on Wednesday to resume three-way negotiations with Washington and Kyiv next month. Additionally, Kyiv and Moscow agreed on Friday to a localized ceasefire around Oleshky, a Russian-occupied town in the Kherson region. First Lady Melania Trump brokered this specific truce.

Ukrainian leaders credited direct dialogue and Zelenskyy's diplomacy with resolving the technical issue. Khmara emphasized that the fix was vital for the work of drones, logistics, and communications on the front. Zelenskyy expressed thanks to American officials and partners who took the matter seriously and assisted in the recovery process.

Uncertainty persists regarding who initially ordered the interruptions to the system built by Elon Musk's company. Trump has maintained that he did not make the decision to limit speeds, while also stating that Musk should not be blamed for the episode.