Starlink service restored in Ukraine is operating normally again after nearly 10 days of restrictions that disrupted military drone operations. Ukrainian Defense Minister Evgeniy Khmara confirmed Saturday, Oct. 24, that Starlink and its military-grade version, Starshield, had returned to normal operating speeds.
According to The Wall Street Journal, military tests showed stable connections at speeds exceeding 400 kilometers per hour (249 mph). During the restrictions, drones reportedly lost connectivity near 100 mph, disrupting missions and forcing operators to fly more slowly.
Starlink Service Restored in Ukraine Amid Musk Dispute
President Donald Trump reportedly contacted SpaceX CEO Elon Musk on Wednesday to request restored connectivity. An earlier Wall Street Journal investigation reported that Musk ordered the slowdown. Accounts differed over whether the Trump administration had discussed or approved the restrictions beforehand.
The dispute emerged amid tensions between Washington and Kyiv. Musk recently criticized Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, saying he had gone too far.
In another post on X, Musk accused Ukraine of violating Starlink’s terms by using the civilian service for offensive drone strikes. He also argued that shutting down Starlink entirely would severely undermine Ukraine’s front-line operations.
Starlink provides satellite internet connectivity, while Starshield is SpaceX’s military-focused communications system. Both support Ukrainian operations, including drones, logistics and battlefield communications.
Ukraine’s Defense Ministry says connectivity has returned to normal operating speeds and that it continues to monitor the systems. The circumstances surrounding the original restrictions remain disputed.
