250 MPH Speeds Restored to Ukraine's Satellite Links

Ukraine's military has regained full access to satellite speeds for drones and other fast-moving equipment, Defense Minister Yevhenii Khmara announced. The restoration brings back connections for objects traveling at speeds exceeding 250 miles per hour, ending a week-long slowdown that Ukrainian officials say disrupted operations at the front.

Khmara reported that monitoring systems showed stable connections for high-speed devices. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy confirmed that both Starlink and Starshield, the military-grade version of the service provided by SpaceX, are operating at the correct speeds.

"Now the speed is what we need," Zelenskyy said. "The restoration began last night, and in the morning there were already speeds sufficient to use this connection. This is very important." He noted that the restored service is critical for front-line logistics and for defending against Shahed drones launched by Russia.

During the period of restrictions last week, Ukrainian commanders reported lost drones and disrupted missions. The situation raised alarms among military and government officials regarding the interruption of satellite internet services.

The issue touched on broader diplomatic tensions. U.S. envoys have launched a new push to end the war, and Russia agreed to resume three-way negotiations with Washington and Kyiv next month. Additionally, a localized ceasefire was agreed upon for Oleshky, a Russian-occupied town in the Kherson region, brokered by first lady Melania Trump. The episode followed reported tensions over a deal involving Russian diesel imports, which Ukraine viewed with concern.

Questions remain regarding who ordered the interruption of the satellite system. President Donald Trump stated he did not make the call while also suggesting that SpaceX owner Elon Musk should not be blamed for the issue. Khmara credited direct dialogue and Zelenskyy's diplomacy with Washington for the resolution.

Zelenskyy expressed gratitude to Americans and other partners for their assistance. He added that the restored service is vital for front-line military work, including drone operations and logistics.