Zelenskyy Confirms Starlink Military Service Speed Restored Amid Continued Aerial Battles

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy declared on Thursday that the Starshield satellite system has returned to its full operational speed, resolving a critical technical bottleneck that had hindered military coordination. The restoration ends a period of significant restrictions that affected how Ukrainian forces managed their frontline logistics and defended against fast-moving threats. Zelenskyy described the update as very important and significant, noting that the connectivity is now where we need it to be for effective defense operations.

The technical issue centered on Starshield, a military-focused service developed by SpaceX that works alongside the commercial Starlink network. For nearly two weeks, Ukrainian equipment experienced dropped connections when moving at speeds exceeding 161 kilometers per hour. This limitation severely impacted drone interceptors and other fast-moving assets. Defense Minister Yevheniy Khmara confirmed that monitoring systems now record restored connectivity on equipment traveling faster than 400 kilometers per hour, marking a clear return to previous capabilities.

The timeline of the disruption began with reports of limited access, which coincided with broader diplomatic tensions. The restrictions lasted for approximately fourteen days before the fix was implemented. Khmara attributed the resolution to direct dialogue and the persistent stance of the Ukrainian president. While the exact origin of the speed limits remains unclear, the restoration has been verified through internal monitoring of satellite links on the ground.

Questions remain about who authorized the initial slowdown. Serhiy Beskrestnov, a defense technology adviser to Zelenskyy, suggested the changes might be linked to recent friction between Kyiv and Washington, although this connection has not been formally established. The Trump administration has denied that the president or any US government official requested the modifications. Elon Musk, whose company operates the service, stated that the US government controls Starshield and that decisions regarding speed are made by the military and ultimately by President Donald Trump.

Earlier this week, the Wall Street Journal reported that President Trump called Musk to urge the lifting of restrictions. Following that conversation, communications became more reliable. When asked about the matter, Trump declined to provide extensive details but stated that if there is a problem, he will get it straightened out. Lawmakers from both major political parties in Congress are now seeking guarantees of reliable access for Ukraine and want to know who specifically authorized the prior changes.

The technical dispute arose against a backdrop of other US policy moves that Ukrainian and Western allies believe benefit Russian President Vladimir Putin. In the past two weeks, Trump announced a deal encouraging Russian diesel exports and waived sanctions that were set to take effect under a law signed last month. He also urged Kyiv to halt attacks on Russian oil refineries, citing high diesel prices caused by reduced energy flows from the Middle East conflict. Zelenskyy initially considered a pause in strikes, but after Putin ordered continued attacks, Kyiv declared it was done with unilateral pauses.

Combat operations continued through the night as both sides traded blows. Ukrainian air defense forces reported shooting down 100 of the 130 drones launched by Russia. Strikes on 15 different locations resulted in at least two fatalities. In response, Ukraine’s General Staff said its forces targeted two industrial facilities and a military airport in Russia. One facility in Oryol produces components for cruise and ballistic missiles, while another in Togliatti manufactures rubber products used in solid rocket fuel.

In a separate development, most of Russian-occupied Crimea experienced a major power outage in the early hours of the day. Cities including Simferopol, Sevastopol, Yalta, Kerch, and Feodosia lost electricity. NetBlocks recorded an almost complete loss of internet connectivity. Russian-installed authorities stated that mobile service reached only 40 percent of the area, public transport in Sevastopol was suspended, and water pressure dropped significantly. Sergei Aksyonov, the head of the occupation administration, blamed a drone attack on main power lines outside the peninsula.

Ukraine has not yet commented on the power cut, and the cause has not been independently confirmed. However, Ukrainian monitoring channels reported a fire at the Taman electrical substation in Russia's Krasnodar region, which supplies power to Crimea via the Kerch Strait. As a fifth wartime winter approaches, peace talks remain stalled and the Kremlin has offered no new concessions to ease the ongoing conflict.

The restoration of satellite speeds provides Ukraine with a crucial operational advantage as it continues to defend its territory. The technical fix removes a layer of complexity that had complicated the use of advanced drone systems. With communication links stabilized, Ukrainian forces can better coordinate their responses to the continuing series of aerial and ground attacks from the east.