Ukraine Confirms Starlink Service Back to Normal

Ukraine has confirmed that its access to Starlink satellite internet is stable and fully operational again. This development ends a frustrating period of restricted connectivity that hampered military operations. The news comes from Defence Minister Yevhenii Khmara, who announced the resolution in a public statement on Saturday.

The restoration of full speeds is a critical win for the battlefield. Khmara noted that the network can once again handle speeds exceeding 400km/h. This benchmark indicates that the full capability of the system has been restored. He emphasized that this stability is vital for the front line, supporting soldiers, drone operations, logistics, and general communications.

The recent disruptions created significant challenges for Ukrainian forces. Last week, officials accused US President Donald Trump of instructing Elon Musk, the owner of Starlink, to impose limits on the service. Under these restrictions, drones reportedly lost their signal when traveling at 161km/h or faster. While Trump initially denied giving such an order, he later stated that Musk had put the service back to its previous state.

Ukraine relies heavily on the Starlink and Starshield networks to pilot drones and run operations. The military uses both the civilian service and the more secure military-grade counterpart. This dependence is especially strong in remote parts of the battlefield. Musk has indicated that the US military controls Starshield, suggesting that the Pentagon may have been involved in the recent technical issues.

The dispute unfolded during a broader diplomatic disagreement between the US and Ukraine. The tension centers on Ukrainian strikes against Russian oil infrastructure. With midterm elections approaching next month, Trump waived some sanctions on Russia and agreed to import Russian diesel for the US market. This move drew criticism from Ukraine and its European allies.

The two sides have different views on the impact of these strikes. Trump argues that the attacks on refineries have pushed global fuel prices higher. Kyiv maintains that the strikes are essential for cutting off a primary revenue source for Moscow's war effort. While the strikes have influenced global prices, officials note that recent increases are largely due to the conflict in Iran.

Zelensky stated that the US threatened to withdraw intelligence sharing if the strikes did not stop. He linked this threat to the apparent limitation of Starlink access. Trump denied making this specific threat, but the incident highlighted the growing friction between the two allies. The situation underscores the importance of reliable communication infrastructure in modern warfare.

Fighting continues on the ground despite the satellite internet issues. On Saturday, the Russian defence ministry claimed its air defences shot down 616 Ukrainian fixed-wing drones. These drones struck several regions, including the Russian-annexed territory of Crimea. Sergey Aksyonov, the Moscow-backed governor of Crimea, said that power cuts from the drone strikes led to restrictions on electricity and water in the region.

Ukrainian authorities reported their own successes in the past 24 hours. They said they hit a missile component manufacturer, a chemical plant, and an aircraft at a military airfield inside Russia. The country also recorded a heavy volume of attacks from Russia. Ukrainian forces reported that Russia carried out 88 air strikes on Friday using 309 glide bombs and over 10,000 kamikaze drones.

The return of full Starlink capacity provides immediate relief to Ukrainian commanders. It allows for smoother coordination of drones and logistics without the previous speed limits. This stability is a small but significant victory in a complex and ongoing conflict. It also serves as a reminder of how much modern military operations depend on private satellite networks.