Ukraine Says Starlink Drone Speeds Restored After Throttling

Ukrainian defense officials announced Saturday that speeds on the Pentagon-funded Starshield satellite network have returned close to normal levels after more than a week of throttling that slowed drones to under 40 miles per hour and caused some to lose connection and crash. The restoration allows Ukrainian forces to resume effective use of the system for air defense and guiding drones toward targets in Russian-occupied areas, according to Defense Minister Yevhen Khmara.

The improvement comes after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky raised the issue directly with senior U.S. officials. Khmara credited the outcome to sustained pressure at the highest levels, noting that the change directly supports frontline troops handling drone logistics, communications and intercepts. Ukrainian monitoring systems detected the recovery in real time, ending a period in which the military's ability to counter Russian attack drones was sharply reduced.

Starshield, distinct from the commercial Starlink system, is controlled by the U.S. government and used specifically for offensive military purposes. Ukraine depends on it to maintain drone operations that have become central to its defense against Russian advances. When speeds dropped abruptly last week, operators reported losing control of aircraft mid-flight, leaving positions more exposed to incoming strikes.

The throttling occurred amid a public dispute between the Trump administration and Kyiv. Zelensky had linked the slowdowns to retaliation for Ukraine's continued strikes on Russian oil refineries, a view that gained traction after the restrictions limited both defensive and supply-related drone missions. The episode triggered bipartisan criticism in Washington and prompted a round of finger-pointing between White House officials and SpaceX chief Elon Musk, whose companies operate the satellites.

President Trump had repeatedly stated that the system was already operating at full capacity and denied any personal involvement in the restrictions. On Friday he said he had not spoken directly with Musk about the matter but would do so if problems persisted. Ukrainian officials maintained that the disruptions were real and unexplained until the recent recovery.

The episode has underscored Ukraine's reliance on U.S.-controlled satellite infrastructure at a time when battlefield needs are acute. With Starshield speeds now returning, drone units can resume higher-velocity flights essential for intercepting threats and sustaining supply lines. Officials in Kyiv described the change as a direct result of persistent advocacy rather than any automatic technical fix.

The two-week period of reduced performance exposed vulnerabilities in Ukraine's drone-dependent operations and added strain to already tense U.S.-Ukraine relations. While the immediate speed issue appears resolved, the underlying questions about control over these systems and their use in the conflict remain unresolved.