Starlink and Starshield satellite tv for pc system speeds are absolutely again, Ukrainian officers mentioned Saturday, following greater than every week of disruptions and slowdowns that they are saying hampered army protection.
Ukraine’s Protection Ministry mentioned in an announcement that its monitoring techniques have formally recorded the restoration of Starlink-Starshield efficiency, and reference to the satellites stays secure at motion speeds above 400 km/h.
An artilleryman of the Particular Rifle Police Battalion of Zaporizhzhia area units up Starlink satellite tv for pc web system, at a place, amid Russia’s assault on Ukraine, close to the frontline in Donetsk area, Ukraine, Oct. 16, 2026.
Stringer by way of Reuters
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy had known as on President Donald Trump and different United States officers to assist restore the system, which is run by way of Elon Musk’s firm SpaceX. Following talks with U.S. officers, Zelenskyy mentioned Tuesday the early warning system had resumed, nevertheless it took time for speeds to achieve their earlier ranges.
“That is one other instance of how direct dialogue and the agency place of the President of Ukraine on the highest degree can ship outcomes. And this result’s particularly necessary for the entrance line, for our troops, drone operations, logistics and communications,” Ukrainian Protection Minister Yevhen Khmara mentioned in an announcement Saturday.
The imposition of velocity limits on Starshield and Starlink-supported networks endangered Ukrainians by inhibiting flight of their army’s offensive and defensive capabilities in Russia-controlled Ukrainian territory, Zelenskyy mentioned.
Russia has launched a number of assaults towards Ukraine within the final two weeks, together with a deadly attack on an residence constructing in Zaporizhzhia that killed 20 individuals, together with three youngsters, in keeping with Ukrainian officers.
A handout picture made out there by the press service of the sixty fifth Separate Mechanized Brigade of the Ukrainian Armed Forces exhibits brigade members welcoming different brigade members close to the entrance line within the Zaporizhzhia area, Ukraine, Oct. 19, 2026
sixty fifth Mechanized Brigade Press Service Handout by way of EPA by way of Shutterstock
The Trump administration denied ordering a slowdown in Starshield and Starlink-supported networks, with administration officers pointing to Elon Musk’s SpaceX, for the change.
“I did not try this. No, we did not try this in any respect,” the president advised reporters on Oct 16, including the infrastructure was “in all probability useful.”
In a publish on Saturday, Elon Musk addressed the matter, saying Ukraine violated the phrases of service for Starlink.
“Utilizing Starlink, a civilian industrial service, for offensive drone strikes to kill individuals has by no means been allowed, nor ought to it’s,” Musk mentioned within the publish, including: “Ukraine army violated Starlink phrases of service and used it for offensive drone strikes to kill individuals. That loophole was closed final week.”
Musk additionally maintained the U.S. authorities controls Starshield, the military-grade model of Starlink.
“Starshield, a unique system, is managed by the US authorities,” Musk mentioned within the publish. “What they determine to do is as much as them.”
He added that SpaceX had carried out greater than some other personal firm “on Earth BY FAR” to defend Ukraine.
In a publish final week, Musk additionally addressed the federal government’s relationship to Starlink and its missile-tracking Starshield program.
“Starshield techniques are owned and managed by the US authorities. Any limits on velocity or utilization are determined by the US army and finally POTUS,” he wrote.
On this March 1, 2025, flie picture, a double publicity {photograph} exhibits the starlink brand and satellite tv for pc antenna on the bottom in entrance of a army camouflage internet in Kerlouan in Brittany in France.
Vincent Feuray/Hans Lucas/AFP by way of Getty Photos
“Starlink is a industrial service owned and managed by SpaceX. Utilization of Starlink is proscribed to civilian or defensive actions and can’t be used for offensive army motion, as doing so can be inappropriate for a industrial firm,” Musk added.
Trump advised reporters Friday that he hadn’t spoken to Musk in regards to the state of affairs, however would achieve this if the disruption continued.
“I’ve heard it was mounted, but when it is not, I will communicate to him,” the president mentioned.
On Saturday, Trump mentioned he had spoken with Musk about Ukraine however didn’t disclose what they mentioned.
A bipartisan group of U.S. senators requested final week that the impartial inspector common on the Pentagon launch an official probe into the Starlink disruptions.
