Ukraine Reports Ongoing Starlink Speed Restrictions Despite Trump Statements

Ukrainian defense officials state that performance issues and speed limitations on the Starlink satellite network persist, contradicting assertions by US President Donald Trump that restrictions had been removed by Elon Musk. Sources within Ukraine's defense ministry reported that military operations continue to face disruptions, with attack and interceptor drones losing connectivity when traveling at speeds of 161 km/h (100 mph).

Disputed Status of Satellite Connectivity

According to Ukrainian defense sources, there is currently no confirmation that connectivity caps on the satellite network have been cleared. Kyiv previously reported that uplink speeds to low Earth orbit satellites were restricted, preventing drones from operating effectively at higher speeds. Ukrainian defense officials noted that they are continuously monitoring the performance of both the standard Starlink network and Starshield, its military-grade counterpart.

President Trump stated that Musk had restored the service's full capabilities, though he declined to confirm whether he had directly requested Musk to remove the limits. Musk has denied responsibility for the slowdown, suggesting that the US military controls Starshield and that the Pentagon might be behind the operational issues. The White House has consistently denied intentionally imposing restrictions on the system in Ukraine.

Impact on Military Operations

The satellite network, which utilizes approximately 10,000 satellites, is vital for real-time target identification, coordinating defensive maneuvers, and operating interceptor drones. Ukrainian military personnel highlighted that connectivity disruptions have affected operations even at ground speeds of 80 km/h (50 mph). Soldiers reported briefly reverting to older communication protocols, emphasizing that real-time data transmission speed remains a critical advantage on the battlefield.

The connectivity issues emerged alongside diplomatic friction between the US administration and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky regarding Ukrainian strikes on Russian oil infrastructure. President Zelensky stated that system speeds had not been fully restored and indicated he was awaiting clarification from US Secretary of State Marco Rubio following a promised update.