Ukraine says Starlink and its military version Starshield are operating at high speeds again after more than a week of restrictions. The curbs hampered military operations and strained relations with the US, and neither Elon Musk nor the US government has accepted responsibility.
Ukraine said on Saturday that Starlink and Starshield were again operating at high speeds after over a week of restrictions that disrupted military operations.
On the Telegram app, Ukraine's Ministry of Defence recorded the restoration of operating speeds. According to the ministry: "Connectivity remains stable at speeds exceeding 400 km per hour."
However, the Ukrainian military does not disclose the systems' maximum operating speeds, and the ministry did not say whether service had been fully restored. While limitations were in place, Ukraine had problems operating at speeds over 160 kph.
Ukrainian officials said the restrictions hampered the military's ability to intercept Russian attack drones and forced the cancellation of some operations. The problems came after US President Donald Trump announced a deal to buy Russian diesel while pressing Kyiv to stop striking Russian oil refineries.
Meanwhile, the blame remains unassigned. Neither Musk nor the US government has acknowledged responsibility, and both have said publicly that only the other could have made such a decision. Reuters has reported that the order to throttle Starshield came from inside the White House.
The Financial Times reported that Zelenskyy said last Saturday the speed limits were part of a planned operation aimed at undermining the country's defences. Trump said on Friday he did not know who had ordered the throttling but had heard the issue was resolved.
Ukraine does not rely on the systems for long-range drone operations on Russian territory, but Starlink is vital for frontline communications and Starshield is used for military operations in occupied territories.
Sources: Investing.com (Reuters), Financial Times
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