Speed Cap Lifted: Ukraine Regains Full Starlink Access

Ukraine has recovered full satellite internet speeds, restoring critical data links for military drones and fast-moving assets that suffered from throttled connections for over a week. Defense Minister Yevhenii Khmara confirmed the return to normal service on Saturday, ending a period of operational friction that Ukrainian commanders described as disruptive to front-line missions.

The issue began last week when speed limits were applied to Starshield, the military-grade version of SpaceX's service. Ukrainian military officials reported that the restrictions caused lost drones and interrupted specific operations. Commanders on the ground noted that equipment moving faster than 250 mph experienced instability, complicating logistics and communications in active combat zones.

Khmara stated that ministry monitoring systems now display stable connections for objects exceeding that 250 mph threshold. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy verified that both Starlink and Starshield are running at the correct speed. He noted that the restoration process started late last night, with sufficient speeds available by morning. "Now the speed is what we need," Zelenskyy said. "This is very important."

The service restoration supports front-line logistics and the defense against Shahed drones, the Iranian-made aircraft Russia regularly launches. Zelenskyy emphasized that the fix is vital for protecting Ukraine from these reactive attacks. The episode has intensified scrutiny on the relationship between Kyiv, Washington, and the private sector managing the infrastructure.

U.S. envoys are concurrently pushing for a diplomatic end to the war. Russia agreed on Wednesday to resume three-way negotiations with the U.S. and Ukraine next month. Additionally, Kyiv and Moscow reached a localized ceasefire around Oleshky, a Russian-occupied town in Kherson region, on Friday. First lady Melania Trump brokered that specific truce.

Tensions between Kyiv and Washington had already risen following a reported deal between President Donald Trump and Moscow regarding Russian diesel imports. Ukraine viewed that agreement as a betrayal, adding strain to the alliance. Questions remain regarding who ordered the initial interruptions to the system built by Elon Musk's company, which Ukraine has used for years to counter Russian attacks.

Trump has maintained he did not make the decision to limit speeds, while also stating that Musk should not be blamed for the disruption. Khmara credited direct dialogue and Zelenskyy's diplomacy with Washington for the resolution. He said the fix mattered most for the military's drone work, logistics, and communications.

Zelenskyy thanked Americans and all partners for taking the issue seriously. The Defense Ministry continues to monitor the stability of the connections as they are used in active combat scenarios.

Negotiations are scheduled to resume next month, following the agreement to restart the three-way talks. The localized ceasefire in Kherson region remains in effect while diplomatic efforts proceed.