Ukraine's Ministry of Defense announced Saturday that high-speed service for SpaceX's Starlink and Starshield satellite networks has been restored, reversing a day of reported connectivity issues that Ukrainian officials said left the country exposed to Russian attacks. The ministry stated its monitoring systems now record stable connections at speeds exceeding 400 kilometers per hour, a significant improvement over the previous throttling that disrupted military operations.
The restoration follows weeks of friction between Kyiv and Elon Musk's SpaceX. Since October 14, Ukrainian authorities have accused the company of undermining national defense by imposing speed limits on Starshield, the military-grade version of the commercial internet service. These restrictions reportedly cut off connections for drones traveling faster than 100 miles per hour, hampering critical missions on the front lines. Starlink serves as SpaceX's broader commercial satellite internet network, while Starshield is a government-focused operation built on the same technology.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy had earlier expressed frustration on X, claiming the restrictions remained in place and that speed had not been restored. He noted that the situation had become harder due to these policies, though he emphasized that the front line was still holding. Zelenskyy also mentioned that Ukraine is awaiting the delivery of agreed-upon missile interceptors from the United States. His comments came despite recent statements from U.S. President Donald Trump suggesting that service had already been fixed.
Dmitri Alperovitch, chairman of the Silverado Policy Accelerator, a Washington think tank specializing in defense technology, noted that Ukrainian Starshield terminals continued to experience problems on Friday, contradicting the narrative of immediate restoration. The conflict has drawn attention from U.S. lawmakers from both parties, who have called for a formal investigation into alleged unilateral changes SpaceX made to its services in Ukraine. SpaceX did not immediately respond to requests for comment regarding the specific timing or reasons for the service adjustment.
Defense Minister Yevgeny Khmara emphasized the importance of the restored speed for military logistics, drone operations, and communications. The ministry continues to monitor the systems to ensure stability is maintained. The development highlights the critical role satellite connectivity plays in modern warfare and the complex diplomatic dynamics between technology providers and national security interests.