Zelenskyy: Starshield satellite speeds back to 400 km/h for drone intercepts

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy confirmed on October 24 that the Starshield satellite communications network has returned to its previous operational speed. He described the change as vital for frontline logistics and for intercepting jet-powered Shahed drones. This development marks the end of a restriction period that had limited Ukrainian military capabilities.

Defense Minister Yevheniy Khmara stated that monitoring systems now record stable connectivity on equipment moving faster than 400 kilometers per hour. Prior to the restoration, a Ukrainian official reported that satellite links were dropping at speeds of approximately 161 kilometers per hour. This lower threshold prevented drone interceptors and other fast-moving assets from maintaining a signal.

The restrictions lasted for nearly two weeks. During this time, Ukraine’s military faced difficulties in coordinating rapid responses. Khmara attributed the resolution to direct dialogue and the persistent stance of the Ukrainian president. He did not specify which party authorized the initial slowdown.

Serhiy Beskrestnov, an adviser to Zelenskyy on defense technology, suggested a connection between the speed limits and recent tensions between Kyiv and Washington. However, no formal link has been established. The Trump administration denies that the US government requested the changes. Elon Musk, whose company SpaceX develops Starshield, has stated that the US military and President Donald Trump control decisions regarding the system's speed and usage.

The Wall Street Journal reported earlier this week that President Trump spoke with Musk to urge the lifting of the restrictions. Following that call, communications reliability improved. When asked about the report, Trump declined to give specific details but said that if a problem existed, he would get it straightened out. Lawmakers from both parties in Congress have sought answers on who authorized the initial changes.

The slowdown emerged while Ukraine faced other diplomatic pressures. In the past two weeks, Trump announced a deal encouraging Russian diesel exports. He also waived sanctions scheduled to take effect under a law signed last month. Trump urged Kyiv to halt strikes on Russian oil refineries, citing them as a cause for high diesel prices. Zelenskyy initially considered a pause but said Ukraine was done with unilateral stops after Putin ordered continued strikes.

Fighting continued overnight on the front lines. Ukrainian air defense forces reported shooting down 100 of 130 drones launched by Russia. Attacks on 15 locations resulted in at least two deaths. The Ukrainian General Staff said its forces struck two industrial facilities and a military airport in Russia. One target in Oryol produces components for cruise and ballistic missiles. The other in Togliatti manufactures rubber products used in solid rocket fuel.

In a separate incident, most of Russia-occupied Crimea lost electricity in the early hours of October 24. The outage affected major cities including Simferopol, Sevastopol, Yalta, Kerch, and Feodosia. The monitoring group NetBlocks recorded an almost complete loss of connectivity. Russian-installed authorities stated that mobile service reached only 40 percent of the area. Public electric transport was suspended in Sevastopol, and water pressure remained low.

Sergei Aksyonov, the Russian-appointed head of the occupation administration, blamed the blackout on a disruption to main power lines outside Crimea. He claimed a drone attack caused the damage. Ukrainian monitoring channels reported a fire at the Taman electrical substation in Russia's Krasnodar region, which supplies Crimea via the Kerch Strait. Ukraine has not yet commented on the cause of the power outage.

As a fifth wartime winter approaches, peace talks remain stalled. The Kremlin has offered no concessions regarding the ongoing conflict. The restoration of satellite speeds allows Ukraine to resume full-speed operations for its fast drone units.