Ukraine restores full satellite speed after ten-day disruption

Ukrainian forces have regained full access to satellite communications, ending a ten-day period of restrictions that disrupted military logistics and defense capabilities. The government confirmed on Saturday that connections to the Starlink system are stable, allowing troops to operate at the speeds required for frontline activities and the interception of advanced threats.

The recent limits capped terminal speeds at 160 kilometers per hour, a constraint that forced the cancellation of several planned missions. These restrictions significantly reduced the army's ability to track and intercept Russian attack drones, including jet-powered Shaheds. Additionally, the speed caps prevented the military from receiving advance warnings for ballistic missile strikes, leaving units with less time to react to incoming fire.

The timing of the slowdown coincided with the US administration's announcement of a deal to purchase Russian diesel. President Donald Trump initially stated that his office was not responsible for the decision to reduce intelligence sharing. He denied personal involvement, noting that he did not believe Elon Musk, the chief executive of SpaceX, was solely responsible for the cut.

Tensions emerged between US officials regarding who directed the changes. Secretary of State Marco Rubio suggested that the decision rested with Musk, arguing that the president does not manage the company or dictate its operations. In response, Musk wrote on X that the systems are owned and controlled by the US government, stating that the military and ultimately the president make the final calls on usage limits.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy blamed both parties for the disruption, describing the event as a planned operation. He noted that similar terminals in European Union countries were not subject to the same restrictions. Vance, the US vice president, supported Musk by saying the billionaire did not want to mediate the conflict without clear direction from the US government.

Before the official restoration, the situation remained ambiguous. Trump claimed on Thursday that service was back at full speed, but a European official told the Associated Press that the system was not fully functioning. When asked if he would instruct Musk to stop interfering, Trump said he had not yet spoken to the tech executive but would likely do so to straighten out any problems.

In a video address on Telegram, Zelenskyy thanked US allies, including Trump and the State Department, for resolving the issue. He confirmed that both Starlink and Starshield systems resumed pre-restriction speeds overnight. By Saturday morning, the connection was sufficient for operational use, restoring the critical data link needed for defense and logistics.