Ukraine Restores 250 mph Drone Speeds After Satellite Outage

Ukraine has regained full access to high-speed satellite internet for its military drones, ending a week-long disruption that limited equipment to speeds below 250 mph. Defense Minister Yevhenii Khmara announced on Saturday that the country's monitoring systems now show stable connections for objects moving at the required velocity.

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy confirmed that both the commercial Starlink service and the military-grade Starshield network are operating correctly. He stated that the restoration began in the evening hours of the previous day, with sufficient speeds available by morning. Zelenskyy emphasized that the return to normal operations is vital for front-line logistics and for intercepting Iranian-made Shahed drones launched by Russia.

The temporary restrictions caused significant strain on Ukrainian military units. Commanders reported lost drones and disrupted missions during the period when satellite speeds were capped. The Defense Ministry attributed the resolution to direct diplomatic dialogue between Kyiv and Washington, noting that the fix was critical for maintaining communications and logistics along the front.

The technical fix arrives during a renewed diplomatic effort to end the war. U.S. envoys are pushing for a resolution, and Russia agreed on Wednesday to resume three-way negotiations with the United States and Ukraine next month. Additionally, Kyiv and Moscow agreed on Friday to a localized ceasefire around Oleshky, a town in the southern Kherson region, a truce brokered by First Lady Melania Trump.

The satellite outage added to existing tensions between the two allies. The relationship had already been strained by a reported deal between President Donald Trump and Moscow regarding Russian diesel imports, a move Ukraine viewed as a betrayal. While the technical issue is resolved, questions remain about who ordered the initial interruptions to Elon Musk's satellite network. Trump has maintained he did not make the decision, while also stating that Musk should not be blamed for the disruption.

Khmara credited Zelenskyy's diplomacy with securing the fix. The minister stated that the restored connectivity matters most for the military's ability to operate drones and maintain logistics. Zelenskyy thanked American and other partners for taking the issue seriously and providing the necessary support to stabilize the network.