Ukraine says Starlink satellite access is fully back after weeklong disruption

In a statement on Saturday, Ukrainian officials confirmed that Starlink and Starshield satellite system speeds have returned to normal after more than a week of disruptions. Monitoring systems detected the restoration of performance, with connections remaining stable at speeds above 400 km/h. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy had pleaded with President Donald Trump and other U.S. officials to assist in restoring the system, which is controlled by Elon Musk's SpaceX.

Zelenskyy stated that the early warning system had resumed, although it took time for speeds to reach pre-disruption levels. Defense Minister Yevhen Khmara emphasized the importance of the restored system for frontline operations, troop movements, drone activities, logistics, and communications. Zelenskyy accused Russia of using speed limits on Starshield and Starlink networks to weaken Ukraine's military capabilities in Russian-controlled territories.

Russia has launched several attacks against Ukraine, including a deadly assault on an apartment building in Zaporizhzhia that claimed 20 lives, including three children. The U.S. administration denied orchestrating the slowdown, attributing it to SpaceX. SpaceX CEO Musk clarified that Starshield systems are owned and controlled by the U.S. government, with speed or usage limits decided by the U.S. military and ultimately the President.

Musk also noted that Starlink is intended for civilian or defensive use, not offensive military actions. Trump mentioned speaking to Musk about the issue if it persisted. A bipartisan group of U.S. senators has called for an independent investigation into the Starlink disruptions by the Pentagon's inspector general.