Ukraine Says Starlink Speed Restrictions Lifted After Two Weeks

Ukraine said on Saturday that speed restrictions affecting Elon Musk's Starlink satellite network had been removed, ending a two-week disruption that constrained military drone operations and triggered tensions with the Trump administration.

Ukraine's Defense Ministry confirmed that connectivity had returned to normal, crediting "direct dialogue" and a "firm stance at the highest level" by President Volodymyr Zelensky.

"Our monitoring systems are detecting a restoration of Starlink/Starshield speeds. We are recording speeds exceeding 400 kilometers per hour, with stable connectivity," the ministry said.

Restrictions Disrupted Drone Operations

Ukraine relies on two SpaceX satellite communications services with distinct military functions.

Starlink supports battlefield communications, ground forces, logistics and defensive drones, while Starshield, a system developed for government and military use, supports more specialized defense operations, including offensive missions.

Reduced performance across these systems had affected Ukraine's intelligence collection and its ability to conduct both defensive and offensive drone missions.

Dispute With Trump Administration

The restrictions fueled tensions between Kyiv and Washington, with Zelensky viewing them as retaliation by Trump and Musk for Ukraine's refusal to halt strikes on Russian oil refineries.

The dispute prompted criticism from lawmakers in both U.S. political parties and disagreements over responsibility between the White House and Musk, SpaceX's founder and chief executive.

Trump denied that his administration had ordered the restrictions and repeatedly maintained that satellite service had already returned to full capacity.

On Friday, the U.S. president also rejected reports that he had discussed the issue with Musk.

He nevertheless indicated that he would contact the SpaceX chief if the limitations remained in place.