Ukraine Says Starlink and Starshield Speed Limits Lifted After More Than a Week of Disruption

Ukraine's Defence Minister Yevhenii Khmara said on Saturday, Oct. 24, that the military has regained full use of Starlink and Starshield, with monitoring showing stable connections on equipment traveling faster than 400 km/h. The 400 km/h figure is the speed of the moving platform, such as a drone, that the link must hold at, not an internet speed. Khmara credited direct negotiations and President Volodymyr Zelensky's efforts.

The restrictions were first reported overnight on Oct. 14, when SpaceX's SPCX Starshield service was limited to about 160 km/h for terminals in motion, without advance warning, according to United24 Media. Commanders reported lost drones and disrupted missions, and Zelensky said on Oct. 23 that the limits were still in place. A defence ministry source had claimed full restoration on Oct. 15, which later statements contradicted.

Responsibility remains unresolved. The Wall Street Journal reported on Oct. 20 that Musk ordered the slowdown, and CBS News also reported Musk was behind it. Musk wrote on X that speed limits are decided by the U.S. military and ultimately the president, while President Trump has said he did not make the call. Rubio and Hegseth have denied administration involvement.

Observers may watch for any statement from SpaceX on the cause, whether limits could return, and whether Ukraine pursues alternative satellite providers. The sources reviewed give no technical explanation for the restoration.