Ukraine says Starlink, Starshield high speed restrictions lifted for military use

Connections return to full use

Defense Minister Yevhenii Khmara said Saturday that Ukraine’s military could again use Starlink satellite links fully for drones and other fast-moving equipment. He said monitoring systems recorded stable connections for objects moving faster than 400 kph (250 mph).

The restrictions on Starshield, SpaceX’s military-grade Starlink service, had alarmed Ukrainian officials. Commanders reported lost drones and disrupted missions during more than a week of limits, which affected a system central to Ukraine’s drone operations and communications.

Khmara credited “direct dialogue,” along with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s diplomacy with Washington. He said the outcome mattered for the front, military work, drones, logistics and communications. Zelenskyy had said Friday that speed limits were still affecting Starlink and Starshield.

Accounts of U.S. role differ

Donald Trump has said he did not make the decision and that Elon Musk should not be blamed. Vice President JD Vance has suggested the White House coordinated with Musk.

Attacks reported elsewhere

Moscow-installed authorities in cities across Russian-occupied Crimea reported power blackouts Saturday after overnight Ukrainian attacks. Ukraine’s General Staff confirmed that Ukrainian forces struck an electronics plant in Oryol on Saturday. Local officials said three people were killed in Friday’s attack; the General Staff said the plant makes components for cruise and ballistic missiles used by Russia against Ukrainian cities.