Ukraine's Starlink and Starshield satellite internet speeds have been restored after more than a week of disruption that affected frontline operations, President Zelensky has said. The Ukrainian leader said speeds had returned to the required levels by Saturday morning, improving military logistics, communications and the country's defences against Russian jet-powered Shahed drones.
Restoration Confirmed by President Zelensky
“The speeds are now where they need to be,” Mr Zelensky wrote on X, adding that the restoration began overnight. The development comes amid a renewed US diplomatic push to end the war, with Russia agreeing on Wednesday to resume three-way negotiations with Washington and Kyiv next month.
On Friday, Kyiv and Moscow also agreed to a localised ceasefire around Oleshky, a war-ravaged town in the Russian-occupied Kherson region of southern Ukraine. The agreement was brokered by US First Lady Melania Trump.
Impact on Military Operations
Restrictions imposed last week on Starshield, SpaceX's military-grade version of its Starlink satellite internet service, had sparked alarm among Ukrainian military and government officials. The satellite network has become a vital part of Ukraine's military operations, supporting drone missions and communications. Commanders reported losing drones and experiencing disrupted missions during the restrictions.
The episode added to tensions between Kyiv and Washington, with relations already strained by US President Donald Trump's reported deal with Moscow over Russian diesel imports, which Ukraine viewed as a betrayal.
Diplomatic Credit and Lingering Questions
Ukraine's Defence Minister Yevhenii Khmara credited "direct dialogue" and Mr Zelensky's diplomacy with Washington for the outcome. He said the most important thing was the impact on Ukrainian forces, including their frontline operations, drone activity, logistics and communications.
Mr Zelensky had said on Friday that Ukraine was still experiencing speed restrictions affecting Starlink and Starshield. Questions have persisted over who ordered the interruptions to the satellite internet system developed by Elon Musk's SpaceX, which Ukraine has relied on for years to help counter Russia's invasion. Mr Trump has said he did not make the decision, while also insisting Mr Musk should not be blamed.
US Vice President JD Vance has hinted at White House coordination with Mr Musk, while Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth have denied any involvement by the administration.
Continued Attacks Across the Region
Meanwhile, a missile attack on the city of Lozova in Ukraine's Kharkiv region killed one person and wounded two others on Saturday, local officials said. Moscow-installed authorities in Russian-occupied Crimea reported power blackouts across several cities on Saturday following Ukrainian attacks overnight.
Ukraine's General Staff said on Saturday that its forces had struck a chemical plant in the Russian city of Tolyatti, which produces materials used in rocket fuel. Tolyatti mayor Ilya Sukhikh said the overnight attack had damaged industrial facilities in the city. Ukrainian forces also struck an electronics plant in the Russian city of Oryol, Ukraine's General Staff confirmed on Saturday.
Local officials in Oryol said three people had been killed in Friday's attack. Ukraine's General Staff said the plant manufactured components for the cruise and ballistic missiles Russia uses to attack Ukrainian cities.
