Ukraine says speeds on Starlink and Starshield services have returned to the levels its forces need, after about two weeks in which restrictions disrupted drone operations. TechCrunch reported on 24 October that Starshield appeared to be working normally again, citing reporting that quoted Defence Minister Evgeniy Khmara. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said speeds were now where they needed to be, a development he described as crucial for frontline logistics and for defence against jet-powered Shahed drones.

Drones lost control at speed

During the restricted period, Ukrainian drones reportedly lost connectivity when travelling at around 100 miles per hour, or 160 kilometres per hour. Some drones lost control, while others flew more slowly and became more vulnerable to interception. The disruption therefore affected more than communications alone, because drone speed and control are central to how Ukrainian units operate on the front line.

Who ordered the limits remains disputed

President Donald Trump reportedly telephoned Elon Musk on Wednesday to ask for services to be restored. Musk said on X that Ukraine had violated Starlink terms by using the service for offensive drone strikes, a claim Kyiv disputes in substance through its account of the episode. The Ukrainian military was still testing services at the time of reporting and had no explanation for the restrictions, leaving the question of who ordered the limits unresolved. For now, Ukrainian officials are treating restored speeds as a practical improvement rather than a settled resolution, with testing continuing to confirm that performance holds under combat conditions. Further updates are expected as testing results become clearer.

Sources: TechCrunch reports the restoration and the disputed background, drawing on Wall Street Journal reporting of the defence minister and official Ukrainian statements.