Ukraine says Starlink speed restored after long disruption

Key points

• Ukraine's defense minister said Saturday that full Starlink use for drones and fast-moving equipment has been restored after speed restrictions.
• President Zelenskyy said checks confirmed Starlink and Starshield were running at the correct speed, with restoration beginning the previous night.
• CBS News reported that Elon Musk was behind the disruption, while President Trump said he did not make the call and that Musk should not be blamed.

Ukraine's military has regained full use of Starlink satellite links for its drones and other fast-moving equipment, Defense Minister Yevhenii Khmara said Saturday. The restoration ends speed restrictions that Ukrainian officials said had disrupted front-line operations for more than a week.

Khmara told reporters that the Defense Ministry's monitoring systems in Ukraine reported stable connections on objects traveling faster than 250 mph. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said checks were conducted and Starlink and Starshield were running at the correct speed.

What officials said

Zelenskyy said the restoration began the previous night and by morning there were already speeds sufficient to use the connection. He called the development very important and said it was significant for front-line logistics and for protecting Ukraine from Russian-launched 'Shaheds,' referring to Iranian-made drones.

Khmara credited 'direct dialogue' and Zelenskyy's diplomacy with Washington, saying the outcome mattered most for the front, the military, drones, logistics and communications. Zelenskyy thanked Americans and 'all our partners, who took all this seriously and are really helping us.'

Now the speed is what we need. The restoration began last night, and in the morning there were already speeds sufficient to use this connection. This is very important.

— Volodymyr Zelenskyy

Disruption and who was blamed

The limitations placed on Starshield, SpaceX's military-grade version of Starlink and the backbone of Ukraine's drone operations and communications, last week alarmed military and government officials. Commanders reported lost drones and disrupted missions.

Questions have persisted about who ordered the interruptions. President Donald Trump has maintained that he did not make the call while also saying Musk should not be blamed. CBS News reported on Tuesday that Musk was behind the disruption.