Ukraine Regains Satellite Link After Speed Cuts

Ukraine's government confirmed on Saturday that its military has regained a stable connection to the Starlink satellite network. The restoration followed a ten-day period where access to the service was severely restricted, cutting off speeds to a cap of 160km/h. The terminals, manufactured by SpaceX but managed by the US government, are vital for the Ukrainian military's daily operations.

The disruption had immediate consequences on the battlefield. During the period when speeds were throttled, the military's ability to intercept Russian attack drones was compromised, and several combat missions were cancelled. Furthermore, Russia was able to launch ballistic missiles without receiving advance warnings from US intelligence. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that the system began operating at pre-restriction speeds overnight, restoring the capacity needed for frontline logistics and defense against jet-powered Shaheds.

Responsibility for the sudden slowdown was disputed among US officials. President Donald Trump initially denied that his administration ordered the restrictions, stating he did not believe the decision came from him or Elon Musk. However, Secretary of State Marco Rubio later stated that the president has nothing to do with decisions regarding Starlink and Starshield, noting that he does not run the company.

Musk, the chief executive of SpaceX, pointed to the US government for the restrictions. He posted on X that the systems are owned and controlled by the US government, meaning speed limits are ultimately decided by the US military and the president. Vice-president JD Vance supported this view, saying Musk does not wish to intervene in state conflicts without government direction.

Ukrainian leaders placed blame on both Washington and SpaceX. Zelenskyy described the incident as a message from the American government to limit speed, while noting that technically SpaceX executed the change. He argued that Starshield terminals in European Union countries faced no similar restrictions, suggesting the move was a planned operation rather than a technical failure.

The timeline regarding the resumption of service remained unclear earlier in the week. On Thursday, Trump claimed the service had returned to full speed, but a European official told the Associated Press that it was not fully functioning at that time. When asked on Friday if he would instruct Musk to stop interfering with access, Trump said he had not spoken to him but might have to.

Zelenskyy announced the end of the restrictions in a video address, thanking US allies, including Trump and the State Department, for resolving the matter. He confirmed that Starlink and Starshield are now operating at speeds sufficient for Ukraine's operational needs.