Ukraine says Starlink is back to normal after disruptions

Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy answers media questions before his meeting with Finnish Prime Minister Petteri Orpo in Kyiv, Ukraine, on Thursday. Efrem Lukatsky/AP hide caption

Efrem Lukatsky/AP

Ukraine said Saturday that the Starlink satellite system and the military's Starshield were back to high operating speeds after more than a week of disruptions.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on X that the restoration began overnight.

"The most important thing today is that Starlink and Starshield operations have been restored to the speeds we had before the restrictions," Zelenskyy said. "The speeds are now where they need to be."

The Starlink network has been critical for Ukraine in its defense to Russia's full-scale war.

Ukraine uses Starlink for drone operations, logistics such as delivering food and water to soldiers, and frontline communications. Zelenskyy said the satellite service also helps defend Ukraine from Iranian-made Shahed drones used by Russia.

Trump Administration and Musk deny blame 

The U.S. and Ukraine had been at odds over who to blame for the more than week-long disruptions to Elon Musk's SpaceX operated satellite technology.

Zelenskyy told NBC's Meet the Press Sunday that Ukrainian officials believed the U.S. government was behind the disruptions and restrictions to Starlink and Starshield. He said SpaceX put the restrictions in response to a "message from [the] American government."

In an Oct. 14 post on X, Musk stated that Starshield is owned and controlled by the U.S. government.

"Any limits on speed or usage are decided by the US military and ultimately POTUS," he said.

The Trump Administration has denied interfering with Ukraine's Starshield access.

Speaking to reporters Friday, President Trump declined to answer a question regarding who ordered the restrictions.

"I wouldn't tell you if I did know," Trump said.

Trump also defended Musk, dismissing concerns that the SpaceX CEO played a role in the limitations.

"Elon will never do anything wrong," Trump said. "I know him very well. He's a fair person."

Ukraine's Defense Ministry said Saturday its monitoring systems were officially recording the restoration of Starlink and Starshield operating speed. It said connectivity remained stable at speeds of more than 250 mph.

The restrictions had capped the speed at about 100 mph. This hindered Ukraine's ability to intercept drones and disrupted missions.

Ukraine Defense Minister Yevhen Khmara said the restoration is the result of "direct dialogue" by Zelenskyy.

"This result is important, above all, for our front line, for service members, for drone operations, logistics, and communications," Khamara said.

In his post about the restoration, Zelenskyy thanked "all Americans" including members of Congress, the State Department and President Trump.

The restoration comes as there is a renewed push for peace talks led by the U.S. Russia has agreed to a trilateral meeting with Ukraine and the U.S. next month.

Russia and Ukraine also agreed to a localized ceasefire in the Russian occupied city of Oleshky in southern Ukraine. The White House said the ceasefire was brokered by First Lady Melania Trump, with an agreement for humanitarian aid and civilian evacuation as there is a growing food crisis in the city.

But Ukraine and Russia still continue to trade attacks elsewhere.

Ukraine attacked a chemical plant in the Russian city of Tolyatti on Saturday. A Russian drone struck a residential building in Kyiv's Obolon District Saturday causing a fire.