Ukraine Confirms Full Starlink Service Restored

Ukraine has confirmed that its military access to the Starlink satellite internet network is fully stable again. This resolution comes after several days of restricted connectivity that forced troops to operate with limited bandwidth. The announcement signals an end to the immediate technical hurdles that had complicated battlefield communications.

Defense Minister Yevhenii Khmara made the official declaration in a statement issued on Saturday. He highlighted that data transfer speeds have recovered to levels exceeding 400 kilometers per hour. This metric serves as a key indicator that the network has regained its full operational capability. Khmara emphasized that the restoration is critical for the front lines, specifically for pilot drones, logistics, and general communications among soldiers.

The disruption occurred against a backdrop of intense diplomatic friction. Last week, Ukrainian officials alleged that US President Donald Trump instructed Elon Musk, the owner of Starlink, to impose specific limits on the network. Under those reported restrictions, military drones reportedly lost their connection whenever they traveled at speeds of 161 kilometers per hour or faster. While Trump initially denied issuing such an order, he later stated that Musk had put the service back to normal.

Ukrainian forces rely heavily on the constellation of 10,000 low Earth orbit satellites for operations, particularly in remote areas of the battlefield. The military utilizes both the civilian Starlink service and the more secure Starshield variant. Musk has previously noted that Starshield is controlled by the US military, suggesting that the Pentagon may have been involved in the recent connectivity issues. This dependency makes any disruption a significant tactical challenge for Kyiv.

The dispute emerged during a broader diplomatic row between Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. The tension centered on Ukrainian strikes against Russian oil infrastructure. With US midterm elections approaching next month, Trump had waived some sanctions on Russia and agreed to a deal to import Russian diesel for the American market. This move drew criticism from Ukraine and its European allies, who viewed it as a shift in US policy.

The two leaders hold differing views on the impact of the strikes. Trump argues that attacks on Russian refineries have pushed global fuel prices higher. In contrast, Kyiv maintains that these operations are essential for cutting off the main source of revenue for Moscow's war effort. While the strikes have affected global fuel prices, analysts note that the increases seen this year are primarily due to the ongoing Iran war. Zelensky also claimed that the US threatened to withdraw intelligence sharing if the strikes did not stop, a threat Trump also denied.

Combat operations continue on the ground despite the connectivity issues. The Russian defense ministry reported on Saturday that its air defense systems 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 the region, announced that restrictions on electricity and water were introduced following the drone strikes, which caused significant power cuts.

Ukrainian authorities provided their own update on recent engagements. They stated that in the past 24 hours, they targeted a missile component manufacturer, a chemical plant, and an aircraft at a military airfield inside Russia. Additionally, Kyiv reported that Russia carried out 88 air strikes on Friday. These attacks utilized 309 glide bombs and more than 10,000 kamikaze drones, underscoring the scale of the ongoing aerial conflict.