Ukraine Reclaims Full-Speed Satellite Links After Two-Week Outage
President Zelenskyy confirms Starshield speeds have returned to operational levels, restoring critical data for high-speed drone interceptors.
By Jonathan Pierce ·
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced on October 24 that the Starshield satellite communications system has returned to its previous speed. This ends a nearly two-week period of restrictions that hampered military logistics. The service, developed by Elon Musk's SpaceX, is critical for Ukraine's defense operations.
The speed limit previously capped satellite links at approximately 161 kilometers per hour, or 100 miles per hour. This threshold stopped drone interceptors and other fast-moving equipment from maintaining connections. Defense Minister Yevheniy Khmara stated that Kyiv's monitoring systems now record stable connectivity at speeds exceeding 400 kilometers per hour, or 250 miles per hour.
Zelenskyy described the restoration as very important for frontline logistics. He noted the change is vital for defending against jet-powered Shahed drones. Khmara attributed the fix to direct dialogue and the Ukrainian president's persistent stance. He said the speed is now where it needs to be for effective operations.
The origin of the restrictions remains unclear. Serhiy Beskrestnov, a defense technology adviser to Zelenskyy, suggested a link to recent tensions between Kyiv and Washington. However, no formal connection has been established. The Trump administration denies that the president or any US government member requested the changes. Musk has stated that the government controls Starshield, with decisions made by the military and President Donald Trump.
The Wall Street Journal reported earlier this week that Trump called Musk to urge him to lift the restrictions. After that call, communications became more reliable. Trump declined to comment when asked about the issue but said if there is a problem, he will get it straightened out. Lawmakers from both parties in Congress have demanded to know who authorized the changes and seek guarantees of reliable access for Ukraine.
Fighting continued overnight during the satellite outage. Ukraine's air defense forces shot down 100 of 130 drones launched by Russia. Attacks on 15 locations killed at least two people. Ukraine's General Staff reported that its forces hit two industrial facilities and a military airport in Russia. One facility in Oryol produces components for cruise and ballistic missiles, while the other in Togliatti produces rubber products for solid rocket fuel.
Most of Russian-occupied Crimea lost electricity in the early hours of October 24. The outage affected Simferopol, Sevastopol, Yalta, Kerch, and Feodosia. NetBlocks recorded an almost complete loss of connectivity. Russian-installed authorities said mobile service reached only 40 percent of the area. Public electric transport was suspended in Sevastopol, and water arrived sporadically at low pressure. Sergei Aksyonov, the Russian-appointed head of the occupation administration, blamed a disruption to main power lines outside Crimea caused by a drone attack. Ukraine has not commented, and the cause has not been independently confirmed.
Source: RFE/RL
