The Ukrainian military has confirmed that its connection to the Starlink satellite communications system is now stable, marking the end of a 10-day period during which the network was subject to sudden restrictions. These satellite terminals, manufactured by Elon Musk’s SpaceX and managed by the United States government, serve as a critical component of Ukraine’s ongoing military operations.
Earlier this month, the terminals experienced speed caps limited to 160km/h (99mph), a restriction that resulted in the failure of several combat missions. According to military reports, these limitations hampered the ability to intercept Russian attack drones and led to the cancellation of various operations aimed at striking behind enemy frontlines. Furthermore, the restrictions meant that Russia was able to launch ballistic missiles at Ukraine without receiving advance warning from the US.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced the restoration of the system in a diplomatic video address posted to Telegram on Saturday. He expressed gratitude to US allies, including President Donald Trump and the US state department, for their role in resolving the operational issue. Zelenskyy noted that the restoration process began overnight, and by Saturday morning, speeds were sufficient for operational use, which he described as significant for frontline logistics and the defense against jet-powered Shahed drones.
The source of the restrictions sparked significant political debate. Zelenskyy explicitly blamed both the American government for ordering the speed limits and SpaceX for executing them technically. He emphasized that these restrictions were unique to Ukraine and did not apply to Starshield terminals in EU countries, characterizing the event as a planned operation that would lead to human losses. When asked on Friday if he would intervene regarding the access issues, President Trump stated he had not spoken to Musk but would "get it straightened out" if the problem persisted, while also describing the billionaire as a "very brilliant" person.
Musk, however, attributed the limitations to the Trump administration, stating via X that the systems are owned and controlled by the US government and that any decisions regarding speed or usage are ultimately determined by the US military and the president. This stance was supported by Vice-President JD Vance, who argued that Musk should not be forced into the middle of a conflict between two state actors without explicit direction from the US government. Conversely, Secretary of State Marco Rubio defended the administration by asserting that the president cannot direct a private company like SpaceX, suggesting the decision-making rested with the firm itself. Trump also remarked, "I don’t know if it was anybody, but it wasn’t me, and I don’t think it was Elon."
