By — Susie Blann, Associated Press Susie Blann, Associated Press By — Elise Morton, Associated Press Elise Morton, Associated Press Leave your feedback Share Copy URL https://www.pbs.org/newshour/world/ukraines-starlink-satellite-speeds-restored-after-a-week-of-front-line-disruption Email Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Tumblr Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Ukraine's Starlink satellite speeds restored after a week of front-line disruption World Oct 24, 2026 12:05 PM EDT KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — Ukraine's access to Starlink and Starshield satellite links has been restored to the speeds it had before restrictions that disrupted front-line operations for more than a week, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Saturday. "The speeds are now where they need to be," Zelenskyy wrote on X, adding that restoration began overnight and were sufficient by Saturday morning, improving front-line logistics and defense against Russian jet-powered Shahed drones. WATCH: How Starlink disruptions affected Ukraine's battlefield operations The restoration follows a new U.S. diplomatic push to end the war. Russia agreed Wednesday to resume three-way negotiations with Washington and Kyiv next month. On Friday, Kyiv and Moscow also agreed to a localized ceasefire brokered by first lady Melania Trump around Oleshky, a war-ravaged, Russian-occupied town in Ukraine's southern Kherson region. Restrictions imposed last week on Starshield — SpaceX's military-grade version of the Starlink satellite internet service and the backbone of Ukraine's drone operations and communication — alarmed the country's military and government officials, with commanders reporting lost drones and disrupted missions. The episode added to tensions between Kyiv and Washington, a relationship already strained by President Donald Trump's reported deal with Moscow on Russian diesel imports, which Ukraine viewed as a betrayal. Ukraine's Defense Minister Yevhenii Khmara credited "direct dialogue" and Zelenskyy's diplomacy with Washington, adding that the outcome mattered most "for our front, for the military, the work of drones, logistics and communications." Zelenskyy on Friday said Ukraine was still experiencing Starlink and Starshield speed limits. Questions have persisted since last week about who ordered the interruptions to the Elon Musk-made satellite internet system that Ukraine has relied on for years to counter Moscow's attacks. Trump has maintained that he didn't make the call, while also saying Musk should not be blamed. Vice President JD Vance has hinted at White House coordination with Musk, while Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth have denied any administration involvement. Meanwhile, a man was killed and two others wounded in a missile attack on the city of Lozova in Ukraine's Kharkiv region, local officials said Saturday. Moscow-installed authorities in cities across Russia-occupied Crimea reported power blackouts Saturday following overnight Ukrainian attacks. Ukraine's General Staff said Saturday that its forces hit a chemical plant in the Russian city of Tolyatti, which produces materials used in rocket fuel. Tolyatti Mayor Ilya Sukhikh said the overnight attack damaged industrial facilities in the city. Ukrainian forces also hit an electronics plant in the city of Oryol, Ukraine's General Staff confirmed Saturday. Local officials in Oryol said Saturday that three people were killed in Friday's attack. The General Staff said the plant makes components for the cruise and ballistic missiles Russia fires at Ukrainian cities. Morton reported from London. A free press is a cornerstone of a healthy democracy. Support trusted journalism and civil dialogue. Donate now By — Susie Blann, Associated Press Susie Blann, Associated Press By — Elise Morton, Associated Press Elise Morton, Associated Press
KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — Ukraine's access to Starlink and Starshield satellite links has been restored to the speeds it had before restrictions that disrupted front-line operations for more than a week, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Saturday. "The speeds are now where they need to be," Zelenskyy wrote on X, adding that restoration began overnight and were sufficient by Saturday morning, improving front-line logistics and defense against Russian jet-powered Shahed drones. WATCH: How Starlink disruptions affected Ukraine's battlefield operations The restoration follows a new U.S. diplomatic push to end the war. Russia agreed Wednesday to resume three-way negotiations with Washington and Kyiv next month. On Friday, Kyiv and Moscow also agreed to a localized ceasefire brokered by first lady Melania Trump around Oleshky, a war-ravaged, Russian-occupied town in Ukraine's southern Kherson region. Restrictions imposed last week on Starshield — SpaceX's military-grade version of the Starlink satellite internet service and the backbone of Ukraine's drone operations and communication — alarmed the country's military and government officials, with commanders reporting lost drones and disrupted missions. The episode added to tensions between Kyiv and Washington, a relationship already strained by President Donald Trump's reported deal with Moscow on Russian diesel imports, which Ukraine viewed as a betrayal. Ukraine's Defense Minister Yevhenii Khmara credited "direct dialogue" and Zelenskyy's diplomacy with Washington, adding that the outcome mattered most "for our front, for the military, the work of drones, logistics and communications." Zelenskyy on Friday said Ukraine was still experiencing Starlink and Starshield speed limits. Questions have persisted since last week about who ordered the interruptions to the Elon Musk-made satellite internet system that Ukraine has relied on for years to counter Moscow's attacks. Trump has maintained that he didn't make the call, while also saying Musk should not be blamed. Vice President JD Vance has hinted at White House coordination with Musk, while Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth have denied any administration involvement. Meanwhile, a man was killed and two others wounded in a missile attack on the city of Lozova in Ukraine's Kharkiv region, local officials said Saturday. Moscow-installed authorities in cities across Russia-occupied Crimea reported power blackouts Saturday following overnight Ukrainian attacks. Ukraine's General Staff said Saturday that its forces hit a chemical plant in the Russian city of Tolyatti, which produces materials used in rocket fuel. Tolyatti Mayor Ilya Sukhikh said the overnight attack damaged industrial facilities in the city. Ukrainian forces also hit an electronics plant in the city of Oryol, Ukraine's General Staff confirmed Saturday. Local officials in Oryol said Saturday that three people were killed in Friday's attack. The General Staff said the plant makes components for the cruise and ballistic missiles Russia fires at Ukrainian cities. Morton reported from London. A free press is a cornerstone of a healthy democracy. Support trusted journalism and civil dialogue. Donate now