Ukraine says Starlink and Starshield are back at pre-restriction speeds after ten days of curbs

24 October 2026

The Ukrainian government said on Saturday, 24 October 2026, that its military has a stable connection to Starlink, ten days after its ability to use the satellite communications system was suddenly restricted. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on Telegram that Starlink and Starshield had resumed operations at their pre-restriction speeds. Ukraine's defence ministry confirmed on Saturday that the connection remained stable. Starshield is the military version of Starlink, operated by the United States using Starlink technology. SpaceX Chief Executive Officer Elon Musk said in a social media post that the Ukrainian military had violated Starlink's terms of service and that the loophole was closed last week. Serhiy Beskrestnov, a Ukrainian presidential adviser, said on Telegram that the country is physically unable to use Starlink for long- and medium-range attack drone operations. Neither Musk nor the United States government took responsibility for imposing the curbs.