Ukraine restores 'stable connection' to Musk's Starlink, Kyiv says

Ukraine has restored a stable connection to SpaceX's Starlink network, Kyiv reported on Saturday, amid escalating tensions with the US over the service. Monitoring systems show a speed recovery of over 400 km/h, with the connection now stable, said Ukrainian Defence Minister Yevhenii Khmara. This development is crucial for frontline operations, soldier communications, drone missions, logistics, and overall communications, he added.

Starlink and its military variant Starshield have been vital to Ukraine's military engagements against Russian forces, offering resilient internet and battlefield communications. However, the service has been embroiled in a dispute between Washington and Kyiv, with Ukrainian forces alleging recent restrictions on military use. Serhiy Beskrestnov, a military technology advisor to President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, claimed that SpaceX imposed a speed limit without notice, disrupting several missions.

In response, President Zelenskyy thanked the US for improved intelligence sharing, emphasizing its importance for early warnings against ballistic threats. On the same day, Russian strikes in the Donetsk region resulted in two deaths and 18 injuries. Additionally, Ukrainian forces retaliated with attacks on Russian infrastructure, including a chemical plant, a building, and an aircraft.