Ukraine has restored full connectivity to the Starlink satellite network following several days of speed restrictions that affected military and drone operations, according to Ukrainian Defense Minister Yevhenii Khmara.
Khmara stated on Saturday that network speeds exceeding 400 km/h are once again attainable, signaling that full capability has been restored. He emphasized that the restored service is crucial for frontline soldiers, drone functionality, logistics, and communications. Ukraine relies heavily on Starlink and its military counterpart, Starshield, to operate drones and conduct military activities, particularly in remote battlefield locations.
Diplomatic Disputes and Operational Challenges
The service disruptions began last week when Kyiv alleged that U.S. President Donald Trump instructed network owner Elon Musk to impose limits, causing Ukrainian drones to lose signal when flying at speeds of 161 km/h or higher. Trump denied giving such instructions before later stating that Musk had restored the access. Musk suggested that the U.S. military controls Starshield and could have been responsible for the connectivity issues.
The issue surfaced during a wider diplomatic dispute regarding Ukrainian strikes on Russian oil infrastructure. President Trump claimed these strikes increased global fuel prices and voiced concerns over energy markets, while Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky noted that the U.S. had threatened to halt intelligence sharing if the attacks on refineries continued—a claim Trump also rejected. Meanwhile, military engagements persist, with both sides reporting extensive drone operations and strikes on military and industrial targets over the past 24 hours.
Source: BBC News
