Ukraine satellite internet speeds return to normal after week of slowdowns

Ukrainian soldiers and civilians now have full access to high-speed satellite internet again. The disruption that lasted more than a week has ended. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced on Saturday that the network is running at normal levels. The restoration began in the early hours of the morning. This change directly affects how the military operates on the front lines.

The Defense Ministry confirmed the return to full capacity through its monitoring systems. Connectivity is now holding stable at speeds above 250 mph. During the period of restriction, speeds were capped at roughly 100 mph. The ministry stated that this lower speed made it harder to intercept drones. It also disrupted other critical missions.

Starlink is a key part of Ukraine’s defense strategy against Russia. The country uses the service for drone operations. It also handles logistics, such as moving food and water to troops. Communications along the front line depend on the network. Zelenskyy noted that the system also helps protect Ukraine from Iranian-made Shahed drones used by Russian forces.

Defense Minister Yevhen Khmara credited the president for the fix. He said the result came from direct dialogue. Khmara emphasized that the speed recovery is vital for service members. It supports drone operations, logistics, and general communications. In a social media post, Zelenskyy thanked American officials, including members of Congress, the State Department, and President Trump.

The cause of the slowdown created tension between Washington and Kyiv. Ukrainian officials believed the U.S. government ordered the restrictions. Zelenskyy told NBC that SpaceX acted on a message from the American government. Elon Musk, the CEO of SpaceX, wrote on X on Oct. 14 that Starshield is owned by the U.S. government. He said the U.S. military and the president decide any limits on speed or usage.

The Trump administration has denied interfering with Ukraine’s access to the system. On Friday, President Trump spoke to reporters about the issue. He declined to say who ordered the restrictions. He stated that he would not tell reporters if he knew. He also defended Musk, calling him a fair person who will never do anything wrong.

The restoration of speeds happens as peace talks resume. The U.S. is leading a new push for diplomacy. 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 city in southern Ukraine under Russian control. The White House said First Lady Melania Trump brokered the deal. It includes humanitarian aid and the evacuation of civilians amid a food crisis.

Fighting continues in other parts of the region. On Saturday, Ukraine attacked a chemical plant in the Russian city of Tolyatti. At the same time, a Russian drone hit a residential building in Kyiv’s Obolon District. The strike started a fire. These events show that the war remains active despite the recent diplomatic moves.