For more than a week, the thin satellite threads that carry Ukraine's war effort were pulled tight, and then, quietly, loosened again. Speeds on Starlink and its military twin Starshield returned to their pre-restriction levels, a small restoration that carries large questions. Who held the hand that narrowed the connection remains unanswered, passed between a billionaire, a military establishment, and a president who denies giving any order. In the longer story of an ally that must trust a distant power with the sky above its soldiers, the question of who decided matters as much as the speed
Starlink Speeds in Ukraine Restored After Week-Long Restrictions Disrupted Military Operations
Three accounts sit side by side, and none resolves who ordered the cap
For more than a week, the thin satellite threads that carry Ukraine's war effort were pulled tight, and then, quietly, loosened again. Speeds on Starlink and its military twin Starshield returned to their pre-restriction levels, a small restoration that carries large questions. Who held the hand that narrowed the connection remains unanswered, passed between a billionaire, a military establishment, and a president who denies giving any order. In the longer story of an ally that must trust a distant power with the sky above its soldiers, the question of who decided matters as much as the speed itself.
On Saturday, Ukraine's government announced that the satellite links its military relies on were working at full strength again. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on Telegram that Starlink and its military counterpart, Starshield, had returned overnight to the speeds his country needs, a restoration that matters for frontline logistics and for defending against jet-powered Shahed drones.
The relief followed more than a week in which, Ukrainian officials said, speeds were capped at 160 kph. That limit, they argued, weakened the military's ability to intercept Russian attack drones and forced the cancellation of some operations. It also strained relations with Washington at a sensitive moment.
Starlink is operated by SpaceX, the company owned by Elon Musk, a close ally of President Donald Trump. The Wall Street Journal reported that US officials believed Musk had acted on his own in capping the speeds. Musk responded that decisions on Starshield's limits belonged to the US military and ultimately the president. Trump and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth have both denied that the Pentagon ordered any change.
So the matter of responsibility remains open, with three accounts that do not fit together. The uncertainty weighs heavily because Kyiv already questions American support, including on intelligence sharing, and the speculation about White House involvement arrives after strained ties over Trump's reported deal with Moscow on Russian diesel imports.
For now, the connection is back where Ukraine needs it. What comes next is whether Washington explains who ordered the cap, and whether Kyiv's doubts ease or deepen.
On Saturday, Ukraine's government said the satellite connections its military depends on were working at full strength again. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said speeds on Starlink and its military counterpart, Starshield, began returning to normal overnight. Ukraine's defense ministry added that the connection held stable at more than 400 kilometers per hour.
Zelenskyy announced it on Telegram. "The main thing for today is that Starlink and Starshield have resumed operations at their pre-restriction speeds," he wrote, adding that the speeds were now at the level Ukraine needs. He said it mattered for frontline logistics and for defending the country against jet-powered Shahed drones.
The restoration ends more than a week of restrictions. During that period, Ukrainian officials said, speeds were capped at 160 kph. They said the cap hampered the military's ability to intercept Russian attack drones and forced the cancellation of some operations. The episode also created friction with the United States.
Starlink is run by SpaceX, the rocket company owned by Elon Musk, a close ally of US President Donald Trump. Earlier in the week, The Wall Street Journal reported that US officials believed Musk had acted unilaterally when he capped the speeds at which Ukrainian hardware could stay connected to the network. According to that report, officials signaled that Trump had not specifically ordered retribution against Kyiv.
Musk gave a different account in response. He said any limits on the speed or usage of Starshield were decided by the US military and ultimately by the president. Trump and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth have both denied that the Pentagon directed any changes.
So the question of responsibility is still open. Three accounts sit side by side: US officials who point to Musk, Musk who points to the military and the president, and the president and defense secretary who deny any direction. The source reporting does not resolve which is right.
The uncertainty matters because of the wider relationship. Kyiv has come to question Washington's support, including on intelligence sharing, amid speculation that the White House may have ordered the Starshield restrictions. That speculation landed at a delicate moment. Relations between the two countries have been strained since Trump's reported deal with Moscow on Russian diesel imports, which Ukraine viewed as a betrayal.
For now, the connection is back at the speeds Ukraine says it needs. What to watch is whether Washington explains who ordered the cap, and whether Kyiv's doubts about American support ease or deepen as a result.
Citações Notáveis
Starlink and Starshield have resumed operations at their pre-restriction speeds. The speeds are now at the level we need.— Volodymyr Zelenskyy, on Telegram
Any limits to speed or usage of Starshield were decided by the US military and ultimately the president.— Elon Musk, paraphrased from his response to the WSJ report
Quer a matéria completa?
Leia o original em Deutsche Welle ↗
Politics & Governance