Satellite Restored: Musk Acknowledges One-Week Throttle

Starlink satellite internet speeds in Ukraine returned to normal levels early Saturday morning, according to President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. He posted on X that the restoration began overnight, fixing the bandwidth issues that had hampered front-line operations for more than a week. The move improved logistics and defense against Russian jet-powered Shahed drones.

Elon Musk confirmed Saturday that SpaceX ordered the speed reductions. The admission follows a period of uncertainty regarding who controlled the interruptions to the system Kyiv has used for years. Musk stated that the company had slowed the service because the Ukrainian military violated its terms of service by using the civilian platform for offensive drone strikes. He argued that using a commercial service to kill people was not permitted and that the loophole was closed last week.

Musk clarified the division of responsibility between the two systems. He maintained that SpaceX controlled Starlink, while the U.S. government retained control over Starshield, the military-grade version that supports Ukraine's communications. He defended SpaceX's role in strengthening Ukrainian defenses since Russia's full-scale invasion in February 2022. Despite the recent friction, he noted the company's long-term commitment to the war effort.

Ukrainian military commanders reported lost drones and disrupted missions during the restriction period. The slowdown alarmed officials who rely on the network for real-time coordination. Defense Minister Yevhenii Khmara credited direct dialogue and Zelenskyy's diplomacy with Washington for the resolution. He said the outcome was vital for the front, drone operations, and communications.

The restoration occurs as U.S. diplomatic efforts to end the war accelerate. Russia agreed on Wednesday to resume three-way talks with Washington and Kyiv next month. On Friday, Kyiv and Moscow also reached a localized ceasefire around Oleshky, a Russian-occupied town in the Kherson region. U.S. First Lady Melania Trump brokered that agreement.

Political tensions remain high between the two capitals. President Donald Trump said he did not make the call to throttle the internet but also stated that Musk should not be blamed. Vice-President JD Vance hinted at White House coordination with Musk, while Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth denied any administration involvement. The episode follows a reported deal between Trump and Moscow on Russian diesel imports, which Ukraine viewed as a betrayal.

Fighting continued on the ground as the internet issues resolved. Local officials reported a missile attack on Lozova in the Kharkiv region that killed one man and wounded two others. In Crimea, Moscow-installed authorities reported blackouts after overnight Ukrainian attacks. Ukraine's General Staff said it hit a chemical plant in Tolyatti and an electronics plant in Oryol. Three people died in the Oryol attack. Ukrainian drones also struck an Ozon logistics center in the Omsk region, more than 2,000 kilometres from the border.