Starlink speeds restored in Ukraine after seven-day cut

Ukraine’s reliance on satellite internet for military logistics was interrupted for one week, a disruption that has now been resolved.

Elon Musk stated on Saturday that his company, SpaceX, was responsible for slowing Starlink satellite internet speeds in Ukraine. The restriction disrupted operations that the country depends on to defend itself against Russia. This admission came after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced that access to Starlink and Starshield satellite links had returned to previous levels. Zelenskyy noted that the restrictions hampered front-line operations for more than seven days.

The timeline of the incident began last week, when questions emerged regarding who ordered the interruptions to the system Kyiv has used for years. Zelenskyy confirmed that the restoration process started overnight and was complete by Saturday morning. He stated that the return to full speed improved front-line logistics and defense against Russian jet-powered Shahed drones. Musk defended the decision by arguing that using Starlink, a civilian commercial service, for offensive drone strikes was not permitted under the terms of service. He said the loophole was closed during the previous week. Musk maintained that the U.S. government controlled changes to Starshield, the military-grade version of the system, while SpaceX handled the civilian network.

The restoration of internet speeds coincides with new diplomatic efforts to end the war. Russia agreed on Wednesday to resume three-way talks with the United States and Kyiv next month. Additionally, Kyiv and Moscow agreed on Friday to a localized ceasefire around Oleshky, a Russian-occupied town in the southern Kherson region. This ceasefire was brokered by U.S. first lady Melania Trump. The episode added strain to relations between Kyiv and Washington, which were already tested by a reported U.S. deal with Moscow on Russian diesel imports.

Ukrainian Defence Minister Yevhenii Khmara credited direct dialogue and Zelenskyy’s diplomacy with Washington for the resolution. He said the outcome was essential for the front, military drone work, logistics, and communications. U.S. President Donald Trump stated he did not make the decision to cut speeds but said Musk should not be blamed. Vice-President JD Vance hinted at White House coordination with Musk, while Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth denied any administration involvement.

Fighting continued in other parts of the region. Local officials reported that a man was killed and two others were wounded in a missile attack on Lozova in the Kharkiv region. Moscow-installed authorities in Crimea reported blackouts following overnight Ukrainian attacks. Ukraine’s General Staff said it struck a chemical plant in Tolyatti that produces materials for rocket fuel and an electronics plant in Oryol that makes missile components. Three people died in the Oryol attack. Ukrainian drones also reached the Omsk region, more than 2,000 kilometers from the border, where the online retailer Ozon reported a drone attack on a logistics center with no casualties.