Zelenskyy Confirms Full Restoration of Starshield Satellite Speeds

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced on October 24 that the Starshield satellite communications system has returned to its previous operational speeds. He stated the change is vital for frontline logistics and for intercepting jet-powered Shahed drones. The restoration ends a two-week period of restrictions that hampered Ukrainian military operations.

Defense Minister Yevheniy Khmara confirmed that Kyiv's monitoring systems recorded restored connectivity on equipment moving faster than 400 kilometers per hour, or 250 mph. Zelenskyy described the current speed as being where it needs to be. This recovery resolves a bottleneck that had limited the effectiveness of drone interceptors and other fast-moving units.

The restrictions, which lasted nearly two weeks, reduced satellite link reliability at speeds exceeding 161 kilometers per hour, or 100 mph. A Ukrainian official familiar with the matter reported on October 23 that links were still dropping at that threshold. Khmara attributed the resolution to direct dialogue and the persistent stance of the Ukrainian president.

The origin of the speed limits remains unclear. Serhiy Beskrestnov, a defense technology adviser to Zelenskyy, suggested a connection to recent tensions between Kyiv and Washington, though no formal link has been established. Elon Musk has stated that the US government controls Starshield, with speed and usage decisions made by the military and ultimately by President Donald Trump.

The Wall Street Journal reported this week that Trump called Musk to urge him to lift the restrictions, after which communications improved. Trump declined to comment on the specific call but said he would straighten out any problem. Lawmakers from both parties in the US Congress have requested details on who authorized the changes and are seeking guarantees for reliable access.

The slowdown occurred amid other US actions that Ukraine and Western allies view as favorable to Russia. In the past two weeks, Trump announced a deal encouraging Russian diesel exports and waived sanctions under a law he signed last month. He also urged Kyiv to pause attacks on Russian oil refineries, a move Zelenskyy initially considered but later reversed after Russian strikes continued.

Combat operations continued overnight alongside the satellite dispute. Ukrainian air defense forces reported shooting down 100 of 130 drones launched by Russia. Attacks on 15 locations resulted in at least two deaths. Ukrainian forces struck two industrial sites and a military airport in Russia, including a missile component facility in Oryol and a rubber producer in Togliatti.

Most of occupied Crimea experienced a widespread power outage in the early morning hours. The disruption affected Simferopol, Sevastopol, Yalta, Kerch, and Feodosia. NetBlocks recorded a near-total loss of internet connectivity. Russian authorities said mobile service reached only 40 percent of the area and suspended public electric transport in Sevastopol.

Sergei Aksyonov, the Russian-appointed head of the occupation administration, blamed the outage on a drone attack that damaged main power lines outside Crimea. Ukrainian monitoring channels reported a fire at the Taman electrical substation in the Krasnodar region, which supplies Crimea via the Kerch Strait. Ukraine has not commented, and the cause has not been independently confirmed.