Speed recovery follows presidential pressure
Ukraine’s Defense Ministry reports that Starshield reached speeds of more than 400 km/h on the morning of October 24. These speeds follow a period of limitation where the system operated at only 161 km/h. Defense Minister Yevhen Khmara says the ministry continues to monitor and record the work of Starlink and Starshield. He noted that the connection is stable. The ministry says this result follows direct dialogue and the persistent position of the President of Ukraine at the highest level, which yielded results for the front, the military, the work of drones, logistics, and communications. I find the sudden return to functional speeds entirely necessary. President Trump ordered SpaceX CEO Elon Musk on October 21 to lift the restrictions because he felt frustrated that the system’s operational speeds remained capped at approximately 160 kilometers per hour. Trump told reporters on October 23 that he had not spoken to Musk but might do so if the problems persist. He stated, "I’ve heard it’s fixed. If it’s not, I will speak to him. If there’s a problem, I will get it straightened out."
| System | Previous Speed Limit | Current Speed |
|---|---|---|
| Starshield | 161 km/h | >400 km/h |
Military disruption and new probe
Starshield operated at limited capacity since mid-October. These speed caps hindered Kyiv’s ability to defend against deadly Russian jet-powered drones and coordinate strikes against Russian targets. This interruption was a failure for Ukrainian military coordination. President Volodymyr Zelensky confirmed on October 23 that issues with Starlink continued to plague Ukrainian forces, and he noted that speed restrictions for Starlink and Starshield remained in effect. He also noted that the supply of interceptor missiles to protect against Russian ballistic missiles remains delayed.
Senator Richard Blumenthal announced on October 23 that he is opening a formal probe into the ongoing Starlink disruption. This investigation asks the Pentagon to clarify who ordered the restrictions and to provide information on the U.S. military’s own reliance on Starlink. While Ukrainian and U.S. officials engaged in discussions to resolve the disruptions, nobody has publicly taken credit or blame for the decision. The lack of transparency regarding who implemented these speed restrictions is a significant issue for the Pentagon.
