Ukrainian Drones Fly at Full Speed After Starlink Limits End

Ukrainian military drones are once again flying at speeds exceeding 250 miles per hour, according to Defense Minister Yevhenii Khmara. The restoration of full Starlink satellite speeds marks the end of a period where speed limits disrupted front-line operations for more than a week.

Khmara stated that monitoring systems within the Defense Ministry now display stable connections for objects moving at those high velocities. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy confirmed that checks verified both the standard Starlink service and Starshield, the military-grade version provided by SpaceX, are functioning at the required speeds.

Zelenskyy noted that the service restoration began the previous night. By morning, connections were fast enough to support operational needs. He emphasized that reliable satellite links are vital for front-line logistics and for defending against Shahed drones, which are Iranian-made and regularly launched by Russia.

The temporary restrictions on Starshield caused alarm among Ukrainian military and government officials last week. Commanders reported that missions were disrupted and some drones were lost during the period of reduced connectivity. The episode added to existing tensions between Kyiv and Washington, a relationship already strained by a reported deal between President Donald Trump and Moscow regarding Russian diesel imports.

The resolution coincides with renewed diplomatic efforts to end the war. U.S. envoys have initiated a new push for a settlement. Russia agreed on Wednesday to resume three-way negotiations with the United States and Ukraine next month. Additionally, Kyiv and Moscow reached a localized ceasefire agreement around Oleshky, a Russian-occupied town in Kherson region, on Friday. First Lady Melania Trump brokered that specific truce.

Khmara attributed the return of full service to direct dialogue and Zelenskyy’s diplomacy with Washington. He described the restored links as essential for military operations, drone work, and communications. Zelenskyy expressed gratitude to American and other partners for taking the issue seriously and providing assistance.

Questions remain regarding who ordered the interruptions to the satellite system built by Elon Musk’s company. Trump has maintained that he did not make the decision to limit speeds. He also stated that Musk should not be blamed for the disruption. Ukraine has relied on this satellite infrastructure for years to counter Russian attacks.