Ukraine restores full Starlink speeds for military drones

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 24 Oct, 12:32 · Archive

Ukraine's defence ministry says Starlink speed limits imposed last week have been lifted, restoring full satellite links for military operations.

Ukraine's military has regained full use of Starlink satellite links for its drones and fast-moving equipment, defence minister Yevhenii Khmara announced Saturday. The speed restrictions imposed last week had alarmed the country's military and government officials, with commanders reporting lost drones and disrupted missions during front-line operations.

The limitations affected Starshield, SpaceX's military-grade version of the Starlink satellite internet service, which forms the backbone of Ukraine's drone operations and communications. The Defence Ministry's monitoring systems reported stable connections on objects travelling faster than 400 kph (250 mph).

Khmara credited 'direct dialogue' and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's diplomacy with Washington for the outcome. He said the restoration mattered most 'for our front, for the military, the work of drones, logistics and communications.' The episode had added to tensions between Kyiv and Washington, already strained by reports of President Donald Trump's reported dealings with Moscow on Russian diesel imports. Questions persist about who ordered the interruptions to the Elon Musk-made satellite system. Trump has maintained he did not make the call, while also saying Musk should not be blamed.

How it is being reported

• Ukraine says Starlink speed limits lifted after a slowdown that hobbled its dronesUkraine's military has regained full use of Starlink satellite links for its drones and fast-moving equipment, according to the defense minister.News4Jax · 24 Oct, 11:45
• Ukraine says Starlink speed limits lifted after a slowdown that hobbled its dronesUkraine's military has regained full use of Starlink satellite links for its drones and fast-moving equipment, according to the defense minister.Clickorlando · 24 Oct, 11:45

In this story: Ukraine · Volodymyr Zelenskyy · Yevhenii Khmara · SpaceX · Donald Trump · Elon Musk · Russia

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