Starlink in Ukraine Back to Normal After Week of Throttling

Starlink and Starshield satellite systems were restored to full functionality in Ukraine on Saturday, following a week of restrictions that hampered military operations and escalated tensions with the United States. Ukrainian officials stated the speeds had returned to pre-restriction levels, with President Volodymyr Zelensky confirming the resumption overnight via Telegram.

The Defense Ministry reported stable connections exceeding 400 kph. While Starlink is crucial for frontline communications, Ukraine did not use it for long-range drone operations on Russian territory. The restrictions, which capped speeds at 160 kph, disrupted the military's ability to intercept Russian drones and prompted the cancellation of some operations.

U.S. President Donald Trump announced a deal to buy Russian diesel while urging Kyiv to halt attacks on Russian oil refineries. Reuters reported the order to throttle Starshield came from the White House. Trump later vowed to resolve any issues if they persisted. The Moscow Times criticized Russia for designating it an undesirable organization and criminalizing its work, emphasizing their commitment to unbiased reporting despite facing repression.