Starshield regains high-speed connections for Ukraine’s forces
Ukraine announced that high-speed satellite connections were working again after restrictions disrupted military use of Starshield. Defence Minister Yevheniy Khmara cited stable links on equipment moving above 400 kilometres per hour. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy also confirmed restored service. The announcement follows conflicting accounts over who imposed the limits and concern about communications for drones and frontline logistics.
Geopolitics··Evening
Ukraine announces restored satellite connections
Ukraine announced on October 24 that high-speed satellite connectivity had been restored after restrictions disrupted military use. Defence Minister Yevheniy Khmara reported improved Starshield performance, while President Volodymyr Zelenskyy also confirmed that the service was operating again at the speeds Ukraine needed for frontline logistics and drone operations.[1], [2]
Khmara said the Defence Ministry’s monitoring showed stable connections on equipment moving at more than 400 kilometres per hour. The ministry was continuing to monitor and document Starlink and Starshield performance. He attributed the improvement to direct dialogue and the president’s position in high-level discussions.[1]
Speed restrictions had disrupted fast-moving equipment
Starshield is the military-focused satellite communications service developed by Elon Musk’s SpaceX, which also operates the commercial Starlink network. Ukraine uses these connections for battlefield communications, drones and defence against Russian attack drones. Restrictions reported in mid-October prevented some fast-moving equipment from maintaining satellite links.[1]
As recently as October 23, unnamed Defence Ministry sources described connections still dropping at around 161 kilometres per hour and said they lacked confirmation that the limits had ended. Zelenskyy also said that day that restrictions remained. Khmara’s subsequent announcement reported a change in the system’s operating performance.[1]
Responsibility for the limits remains contested
Musk has argued that the US government controls Starshield and that decisions on restrictions belong to the military and ultimately the president. Donald Trump and his administration denied ordering the limits. Trump said on October 23 that he would resolve any continuing problem.[1]
The Wall Street Journal, citing US officials, had reported that Trump called Musk to request removal of the restrictions. Democratic and some Republican members of Congress demanded answers about who authorised the limits and Ukraine’s reliable access to the service.[1]
