Ukraine says Starlink connection now stable after network speed restrictions

Defence minister confirms speeds exceeding 400 km/h as drone operations resume

By LineZotpaper AI staff

Published24 October 2026

Read Time2 min

Sources2 outlets

Ukraine's Defence Minister Yevhenii Khmara announced on Saturday that the country has restored a "stable" connection to SpaceX's Starlink satellite network, after days of speed restrictions that Kyiv said had disrupted military drone operations. Khmara said monitoring systems recorded speeds of more than 400 km/h, indicating full capability had returned. The restrictions, which limited drones to speeds under 161 km/h, sparked a dispute between Kyiv and Washington, with Ukrainian officials accusing US President Donald Trump of ordering the limits. Trump denied giving such an order but acknowledged that Elon Musk had "put it back".

Ukraine's military relies heavily on Starlink and its military-grade counterpart Starshield for communications and drone operations, particularly in remote battlefield areas. The network of around 10,000 low Earth orbit satellites has been crucial for Ukrainian forces.

Last week, Serhiy Beskrestnov, an adviser to President Volodymyr Zelensky on military technology, said SpaceX had introduced a speed limit overnight without warning. "Our defence forces did not receive a warning about this limitation and this led to the disruption of several missions," he wrote on Telegram.

The restrictions emerged amid a broader diplomatic row between Trump and Zelensky over Ukrainian strikes on Russian oil infrastructure. Trump, facing midterm elections next month, has waived some sanctions on Russia and agreed to import Russian diesel, a move Kyiv and European allies have criticised. Trump argued the strikes on Russian oil refineries had pushed global fuel prices higher.

In addition to the Starlink limits, Zelensky said the US had also threatened to withdraw intelligence sharing if the strikes did not stop, something Trump also denied. On Tuesday, Zelensky said he was "thankful" that intelligence sharing was now working.

Elon Musk suggested that the Pentagon, which controls Starshield, could be behind the recent issues, according to the BBC.

Fighting on the ground continues. Russia's defence ministry said its air defences shot down 616 Ukrainian drones across several regions, including Crimea. Ukrainian authorities reported two civilians killed and 18 injured in Russian strikes on the Donetsk region. Ukrainian forces struck a missile component manufacturer, a chemical plant, and an aircraft at a military airfield inside Russia.

Khmara said the restoration of Starlink connectivity was "above all important for our front, for our soldiers, for the operation of drones, for logistics and for communications."

Analysis

Why This Matters

The Starlink restrictions expose Ukraine's vulnerability to a privately owned American satellite network for critical military communications.
The restoration is essential for Ukraine's drone operations and battlefield logistics as fighting continues.
The dispute highlights growing tension between Kyiv and Washington over Ukraine's strategy of striking Russian oil targets.

Background

Starlink, operated by Elon Musk's SpaceX, provides satellite internet. Its military version, Starshield, is controlled by the US military. Since the 2022 Russian invasion, Starlink has become a vital asset for Ukraine, enabling communications and drone operations. The recent speed limits, imposed without prior warning, marked the first time Ukrainian forces faced such restrictions. The episode occurred as Trump pressured Ukraine to stop attacks on Russian oil refineries, which he said were raising global fuel prices.

Key Perspectives

Ukrainian officials: say the speed restrictions were imposed without warning and disrupted missions; connectivity is now fully restored with speeds exceeding 400 km/h. US President Donald Trump: denies ordering the limits or threatening intelligence cuts, but confirms service has been restored. Elon Musk: has suggested the Pentagon, which controls Starshield, could be behind the restrictions.

What to Watch

Whether further Starlink or intelligence restrictions are used as leverage in US-Ukraine diplomatic talks.
The effect of restored connectivity on Ukraine's ability to conduct long-range drone strikes.
The upcoming US midterm elections and their potential impact on Washington's support for Kyiv.

Sources

Ukraine restores 'stable' connection to Musk's Starlink, Kyiv says · Euronews
Ukraine says Starlink connection 'now stable' after network limits · BBC News

Checked

12 claims in this story checked against 2 sources: 9 supported.

Show each claim

SupportedStarlink speeds exceeded 400 km/h.Euronews: “We are registering a speed of more than 400 km/h, the connection is stable,” Ukrainian Defence Minister Yevhenii Khmara said in a statement.”
Not in the sourcesUkrainian drone operations have resumed.
SupportedUkraine says its Starlink connection is stable again after network restrictions.BBC News: “Ukraine now has a “stable connection” to Starlink, its defence minister has said, after its military suffered days of restricted connectivity on the satellite internet network.”
SupportedDefence Minister Yevhenii Khmara said on Saturday that Ukraine’s Starlink connection was stable.BBC News: ““This result is above all important for our front, for our soldiers, for the operation of drones, for logistics and for communications,” he said in a statement on Saturday.”
SupportedThe restrictions limited drones to speeds under 161 km/h.BBC News: “This meant drones would lose connection when travelling at 161km/h (100mph) or more, it said.”
SupportedKyiv accused US President Donald Trump of telling Elon Musk to place limits on Starlink.BBC News: “Kyiv relies on the Starlink and its military-grade counterpart Starshield for piloting drones and operations within Ukraine, but last week accused US President Donald Trump of telling owner Elon Musk to place limits on it.”
SupportedTrump denied ordering the limits and said Musk had “put it back”.BBC News: “Trump denied doing so before saying Musk had “put it back”.”
SupportedBeskrestnov said Ukraine’s defence forces received no warning about the limitation, which disrupted several missions.Euronews: ““Our defence forces did not receive a warning about this limitation and this led to the disruption of several missions,” Beskrestnov wrote in a post on Telegram.”
SupportedZelensky said the US had threatened to withdraw intelligence sharing if the strikes did not stop, and Trump denied it.BBC News: “Zelensky said that, as well as seemingly limiting Starlink capability in Ukraine, the US had also threatened to withdraw intelligence sharing if the strikes did not stop, something Trump also denied.”
Partly supportedMusk suggested the Pentagon could be behind the issues, and the Pentagon controls Starshield.BBC News: “Ukraine uses both the civilian service Starlink and the more secure Starshield, which Musk said was controlled by the US military when he suggested the Pentagon could be behind the recent issues.”
Partly supportedRussia’s defence ministry said its air defences shot down 616 Ukrainian drones across several regions, including Crimea.BBC News: “Russia's ministry of defence wrote on Telegram on Saturday that their air defences shot down 616 Ukrainian fixed-wing drones, striking a number of regions across the country, including Russian-annexed Crimea.”
SupportedUkrainian authorities reported two people killed and 18 injured in Russian strikes on Donetsk.Euronews: ““On 23 October, the Russians killed two residents of Donetsk Oblast: in Sloviansk and Kramatorsk,” regional governor Vadym Filashkin said on Saturday morning. “A further 18 people in the region were injured over the past 24 hours.””