Ukraine satellite speeds jump to 250 mph after week of 100 mph caps

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced on Saturday that the Starlink satellite network and the Starshield military system have returned to their previous high speeds. The Ukrainian leader stated that the restoration of connectivity began overnight, ending a period of reduced performance that lasted more than a week. He wrote on the social media platform X that the current speeds are where they need to be.

Ukraine’s Defense Ministry confirmed the recovery through its monitoring systems. Officials reported that connectivity is now stable at speeds above 250 mph. This marks a return to normal operations after restrictions capped speeds at approximately 100 mph. The ministry stated that the lower speeds hampered drone interception efforts and disrupted various military missions.

Starlink has served as a core component of Ukraine’s defense strategy against Russia’s full-scale invasion. The network supports drone operations, logistics, and front-line communications, including the transport of food and water to soldiers. Zelenskyy noted that the service also aids in protecting the country from Iranian-made Shahed drones used by Russian forces.

Defense Minister Yevhen Khmara attributed the resolution to direct dialogue led by Zelenskyy. He described the outcome as important for front-line service members, drone operations, and logistics. Zelenskyy extended thanks to American officials, specifically naming members of Congress, the State Department, and President Donald Trump in his post.

The cause of the slowdown created tension between Washington and Kyiv. Zelenskyy told NBC’s Meet the Press that Ukrainian officials believed the U.S. government was behind the restrictions, claiming SpaceX acted on a message from the American government. Elon Musk wrote on X on October 14 that Starshield is owned and controlled by the U.S. government. He added that limits on speed or usage are decided by the U.S. military and ultimately the president.

The Trump administration denied interfering with Ukraine’s access to Starshield. Speaking to reporters on Friday, President Trump declined to identify who ordered the restrictions. He stated that he would not tell reporters if he knew. Trump also defended Musk, describing the SpaceX CEO as a fair person who will never do anything wrong.

The restoration occurs as the United States leads a renewed push for peace talks. 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 the Russian-occupied southern city of Oleshky. The White House said First Lady Melania Trump brokered the deal, which includes humanitarian aid and civilian evacuation. Fighting continued elsewhere on Saturday, with Ukraine attacking a chemical plant in Tolyatti and a Russian drone striking a residential building in Kyiv’s Obolon District.