Ukraine’s Starlink Access Restored
KYIV, Ukraine (AP) – Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced on Saturday that access to Starlink and Starshield satellite links has returned to pre-restriction speeds. These disruptions had affected front-line operations for over a week.
Zelenskyy shared on X that the restoration began overnight and was complete by Saturday morning, which has significantly improved logistics and defense against Russian Shahed drones.
This restoration coincides with a renewed U.S. diplomatic effort to facilitate an end to the ongoing war. Recently, Russia agreed to engage in three-way negotiations with Washington and Kyiv next month. In addition to this, a localized ceasefire was established near the town of Oleshky, which has suffered greatly due to the conflict, with the mediation of first lady Melania Trump.
Last week’s restrictions on Starshield—a militarized version of SpaceX’s Starlink service—raised alarms among Ukraine’s military personnel. Reports indicated that commanders had lost drones and encountered disrupted missions due to these limitations.
These events added fuel to existing tensions between Kyiv and Washington, strained further by President Donald Trump’s alleged agreement with Moscow concerning Russian diesel imports, which many in Ukraine perceived as a betrayal.
Ukrainian Defense Minister Yevhenii Khmara emphasized the importance of “direct dialogue” and noted the significance of Zelenskyy’s diplomacy with Washington. He remarked that this outcome is crucial for military operations and communications.
Earlier on Friday, Zelenskyy had indicated that speed limitations on Starlink and Starshield were still a concern.
Since the restrictions were imposed, questions have lingered regarding who was responsible for the interruptions to the satellite internet system that Ukraine has depended on for years to counter Russian advances. Trump has stated he was not involved, while also suggesting that Musk shouldn’t bear any blame. Meanwhile, Vice President JD Vance hinted at White House relations with Musk, although Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth refuted any administration involvement.
In other news, a missile strike in Lozova, located in Ukraine’s Kharkiv region, resulted in one death and two injuries, as confirmed by local officials on Saturday.
In Crimea, authorities loyal to Moscow reported widespread power outages following Ukrainian attacks overnight. According to Ukraine’s General Staff, strikes targeted a chemical plant in the Russian city of Tolyatti, known for producing rocket fuel materials. The mayor of Tolyatti noted that these assaults caused damage to industrial facilities there.
Additonally, Ukrainian forces targeted an electronics plant in Oryol, which was linked to the production of components for cruise and ballistic missiles used against Ukrainian cities. Local officials in Oryol reported three fatalities from this attack.
Ukrainian drones also reached as far as the Omsk region in western Siberia, which is over 2,000 kilometers from Ukraine’s border. According to regional Governor Vitaly Khotsenko, drones successfully approached a northern industrial hub.
The online retailer Ozon reported a drone attack on its logistics center in Omsk, although fortunately, there were no casualties. Ozon competes with Wildberries, another target of Ukrainian operations.
