Satellite Links: Ukraine Confirms Full Speed Restoration
Following a two-week period of reduced bandwidth, Kyiv announces that military satellite communications have returned to optimal performance levels.
By Ana Castro ·
Ukrainian military assets moving at 400 kilometers per hour can once again maintain stable satellite connections, a restoration that President Volodymyr Zelenskyy described as crucial for frontline logistics. The return to full speed ended a roughly fortnight of restrictions that had significantly hampered operations. Zelenskyy noted via his Telegram channel that the change is very important for defending against jet-powered Shahed drones. He stated the service speed is now where it needs to be for effective defense.
The timeline of this disruption began when limitations were first reported, coinciding with broader diplomatic tensions between Kyiv and Washington. Defense Minister Yevheniy Khmara confirmed that monitoring equipment recorded the restored connectivity on fast-moving platforms. Previously, links were dropping at speeds around 161 kilometers per hour, which prevented drone interceptors from holding secure connections during high-speed maneuvers. Khmara attributed the resolution to direct dialogue and the president's persistent stance on the issue.
Questions remain regarding who initially imposed these limits. Serhiy Beskrestnov, an adviser on defense technology, hinted at a connection to recent friction with the US government, though this link has not been formally established. The Trump administration denies that the president or any US official requested the changes. Meanwhile, Elon Musk has clarified that the US government controls the Starshield system, with the military and ultimately the president making decisions on usage and speed.
According to a report from The Wall Street Journal, President Donald Trump spoke with Musk to urge the lifting of restrictions, after which reliability improved. When asked for comment, Trump said that if there is a problem, he will get it straightened out. Lawmakers from both major parties in Congress are seeking answers on who authorized the changes and want guarantees of reliable access for Ukraine moving forward.
The satellite issues emerged amid other US policy moves that Kyiv and Western allies view as benefiting Russian President Vladimir Putin. In the past two weeks, Trump announced a deal encouraging Russian diesel exports and waived upcoming sanctions. He also urged Ukraine to cease attacks on Russian refineries, citing high diesel prices. Zelenskyy initially considered a pause in strikes, but after Putin ordered continued attacks, Kyiv declared it was done with unilateral pauses.
Combat continued through the night, with Ukraine reporting the downing of 100 out of 130 Russian drones. Attacks on fifteen locations resulted in at least two fatalities. Ukrainian forces struck two industrial sites and a military airport in Russia. One facility in Oryol produces missile components, while the other in Togliatti makes rubber for solid rocket fuel. Additionally, most of occupied Crimea lost power in the early hours, with mobile service reaching only 40 percent of the area. Russian authorities blamed a drone attack on power lines, a claim Ukraine has not yet confirmed as a fifth wartime winter approaches.
