Ukraine Unleashes Full-Speed Starlink After Ten-Day Throttle Ends
Speed caps that hampered drone interception and missile warnings were lifted, with Kyiv confirming the system now operates at pre-restriction levels.
By David Almasi ·
Ukraine’s government confirmed that its military has regained a stable connection to Starlink satellite terminals. The restoration comes ten days after the system’s usage was abruptly restricted, ending a period that disrupted key combat operations.
The speed limits capped the terminals’ movement at 160 kilometers per hour, or 99 miles per hour. This restriction caused several Ukrainian combat missions to fail earlier this month. The reduced capacity hampered the military’s ability to intercept Russian attack drones. Some operations targeting assets behind enemy lines were cancelled. Additionally, Russia was able to launch ballistic missiles at Ukraine without receiving advance warning from the United States.
The terminals are manufactured by Elon Musk’s SpaceX but managed by the US government. They serve as a critical component of Ukrainian military infrastructure. The timing of the restrictions coincided with President Donald Trump’s announcement of a US agreement to purchase Russian diesel. Trump initially denied that his administration was responsible for the decision to cut intelligence sharing with Ukraine. "I don’t know if it was anybody, but it wasn’t me, and I don’t think it was Elon," Trump said, referencing Musk.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio defended the president last Wednesday, directing suspicion toward Musk. "The president has nothing to do with the decisions that are made by Starlink and Starshield and by Mr Musk," Rubio stated. He noted that the president does not run the company and cannot direct its actions. Musk placed responsibility on the administration, writing on X that the systems are "owned and controlled by the US government." He stated that limits on speed or usage are decided by the US military and ultimately the president.
Vice-President JD Vance backed Musk on Thursday, saying the billionaire does not want to get in the middle of a war between two state actors without effective direction from the US government. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy blamed both sides for the disruption. "It was a message from [the] American government to limit the speed," Zelenskyy said. "And technically, SpaceX did it." He pointed out that Starshield terminals in EU countries faced no similar restrictions, which applied only to Ukraine. "In other words, this is a planned operation," he said, warning that the decision would bring human losses.
Zelenskyy announced the restoration of the system in a video address on Telegram on Saturday. He thanked US allies, including Trump and the State Department, for resolving the problem. Zelenskyy said Starlink and Starshield resumed operating at their pre-restriction speeds. He stated that the restoration began overnight and that by morning, speeds were sufficient for operational use. This capacity is vital for frontline logistics and for defending against jet-powered Shahed drones.
The situation remained unclear in the days before the official announcement. On Thursday, Trump claimed the service was back at full speed, but a European official speaking to the Associated Press denied that it was fully functioning. On Friday, Trump said he had not spoken to Musk but might have to. "If there is a problem, I’ll get it straightened out," Trump said, describing Musk as "very brilliant" and "very good".
