SpaceX restores full satellite internet speeds in Ukraine

The satellite internet service Starlink has been a critical piece of Ukraine's defense infrastructure since the full-scale invasion began in February 2022. On Saturday, full speeds for the service in Ukraine were restored after a one-week period of reduced performance.

Elon Musk confirmed in a post on X that SpaceX ordered the speed limits. He stated that the restriction was a response to the Ukrainian military using the civilian commercial service for offensive drone strikes, a practice he said violated the terms of service. Musk noted that the loophole for this usage was closed during that week. He defended the company's role in strengthening Ukraine's defenses while clarifying that the U.S. government controlled changes to Starshield, the military-grade version of the system.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced that access to both Starlink and Starshield links had returned to previous levels. He reported that the restoration process began overnight and was complete by Saturday morning. Zelenskyy said the speed limits had hampered front-line operations for more than a week, specifically affecting logistics and defense against Russian Shahed drones.

The resolution to the technical dispute occurred during a period of intense diplomatic activity. Russia agreed on Wednesday to resume three-way talks with the U.S. and Ukraine the following month. Additionally, Kyiv and Moscow agreed on Friday to a localized ceasefire around the town of Oleshky in the southern Kherson region, a deal brokered by U.S. First Lady Melania Trump. This diplomatic push follows recent strains in relations, including a reported U.S. deal with Moscow on Russian diesel imports that Ukraine viewed unfavorably.

U.S. officials offered mixed accounts of their involvement in the speed cut. President Donald Trump said he did not make the decision but stated that Musk should not be blamed. Vice President JD Vance hinted at coordination between the White House and Musk, while Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth denied any administration involvement in the specific change.

Ukrainian Defense Minister Yevhenii Khmara credited direct dialogue and Zelenskyy's diplomacy for the resolution. He emphasized that the outcome was vital for the front line, drone work, logistics, and communications. The restoration of speeds comes as fighting continues across the front.

Local officials reported a missile attack on Lozova in the Kharkiv region, killing one man and wounding two others. In the south, Moscow-installed authorities in Crimea reported blackouts following overnight Ukrainian attacks. Ukraine's General Staff announced strikes on a chemical plant in Tolyatti and an electronics plant in Oryol, the latter of which killed three people. Ukrainian drones also reached the Omsk region, more than 2,000 kilometers from the border, where a drone attacked an Ozon logistics center with no reported casualties.