Ukraine Says Starlink Restrictions Remain Despite Trump’s Claim That Limits Were Lifted
Ukraine says Starlink speed restrictions remain despite Donald Trump claiming limits were lifted after speaking with Elon Musk, raising concerns about military communications and drone operations.
Ukraine has disputed claims that restrictions on its military use of SpaceX’s satellite communications systems have been lifted, saying critical speed limits remain in place despite US President Donald Trump’s reported intervention with billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk.
The disagreement emerged on Friday, October 23, 2026, after Trump said the service had returned to full speed following a conversation with Musk, who leads SpaceX, the company behind Starlink and its military-oriented counterpart, Starshield.
Ukrainian officials, however, reported that the restrictions continued to affect military operations, particularly the use of drones for interception, logistics and other battlefield missions.
Ukrainian presidential adviser Serhii Beskrestnov said there was no indication that the restrictions had been lifted, despite isolated instances in which the system appeared to operate above the imposed speed threshold.
The conflicting accounts have raised questions about who authorised the restrictions, whether they can be reversed immediately and how dependent Ukraine's military has become on privately operated satellite technology.
The dispute also places renewed scrutiny on Washington's relationship with Kyiv as Ukraine continues to defend itself against Russia's invasion.
Trump Reportedly Asked Musk to Remove Restrictions
The controversy intensified after reports that Trump contacted Musk and asked him to lift restrictions affecting Ukraine's access to the military-grade satellite network.
A report by The Wall Street Journal, cited by Reuters, said the system appeared to be functioning more normally after the conversation on Wednesday. Some Ukrainian officials reportedly observed improved speeds, although they cautioned that full functionality had not been restored.
Trump expressed frustration that the system's speed remained capped at approximately 100 miles per hour, or 161 kilometres per hour, according to the report.
However, Ukrainian officials subsequently contradicted the suggestion that the restrictions had been completely removed.
The Kyiv Independent reported on October 22 that a Ukrainian official described claims of full restoration as false, adding that the speed cap remained in effect and continued to interfere with important military operations.
The disagreement highlights the difference between improving connectivity and restoring the satellite network to its previous operational capabilities.
For Ukrainian commanders, even intermittent connectivity or a restriction affecting fast-moving drones can have significant consequences on the battlefield.
How Starlink Restrictions Affect Ukraine's Military
Starlink has become an important communications tool for Ukrainian forces since Russia launched its full-scale invasion in February 2022.
The satellite network enables military units to communicate across areas where conventional telecommunications infrastructure has been damaged or destroyed. Its relatively rapid deployment has helped maintain connectivity between frontline troops, command centres and logistical operations.
Ukraine has also relied on satellite connectivity to support drone operations, including reconnaissance, supply delivery and interception of incoming aerial threats.
SpaceX introduced restrictions affecting certain terminals used in Ukraine. Military officials reported unexpected disruptions, including connection losses lasting between 10 and 20 seconds during some drone flights.
The reported limitations affected drones travelling at speeds of approximately 110 - 120 kilometres per hour, while the military-grade system was said to disconnect above the applicable threshold. Some missions were subsequently cancelled or disrupted.
Such interruptions can be particularly serious when operators need continuous communications to guide fast-moving aircraft or respond to rapidly changing battlefield conditions.
Ukraine's concerns are therefore not limited to internet access in the conventional sense. They involve the reliability of a communications system used in military operations where delays or loss of connectivity may compromise a mission.
Washington and SpaceX Offer Conflicting Explanations
The restrictions have triggered disagreement over responsibility among Ukrainian officials, SpaceX and members of the Trump administration.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio has denied that Trump or officials in his administration ordered the service to be slowed. Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth has similarly argued that SpaceX has the authority to enforce the terms governing use of its services.
Musk, meanwhile, has distinguished between Starlink, a commercial service controlled by SpaceX, and Starshield, a military-oriented system owned and controlled by the US government.
In comments reported by the Associated Press, Musk said decisions concerning Starshield's speed and usage restrictions ultimately rest with the US military and the president.
These competing explanations have made it difficult to establish who authorised the limitations and whether the restrictions were introduced for technical, contractual or policy reasons.
As of October 23, Ukraine had not received a publicly confirmed, comprehensive explanation resolving those questions.
The uncertainty has also prompted calls in the United States for congressional scrutiny of the disruption and the country's reliance on privately operated satellite infrastructure for sensitive military operations.
Zelenskyy Seeks Answers as Pressure Mounts
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has pressed Washington for clarity over the restrictions, warning that disruptions to satellite connectivity could weaken his country's ability to defend against Russian attacks.
Kyiv has sought assurances that the military can regain the capabilities it previously had, rather than merely receiving partial improvements in service.
According to Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, Ukraine's diplomatic representatives in Washington said the restrictions had not been lifted and that Kyiv was still awaiting answers from the Pentagon and SpaceX.
The issue comes at a sensitive moment in relations between Ukraine and the Trump administration, which has been involved in efforts to find a path towards ending the war.
It also raises concerns among US lawmakers about the implications of a private company's control over technology that has become essential to a country's wartime communications.
A Wider Warning About Dependence on Private Technology
The Starlink dispute illustrates the risks countries face when critical military capabilities depend on infrastructure controlled by private companies.
Satellite internet can provide communications in locations where traditional networks are unavailable, but access may be affected by technical restrictions, contractual arrangements or government decisions.
For Ukraine, the immediate priority is restoring reliable connectivity for military units while determining why the restrictions were introduced.
For its international partners, the episode may strengthen arguments for developing alternative satellite communications systems and reducing reliance on a single provider.
Although Trump's reported intervention appeared to offer a possible route towards resolving the dispute, Ukrainian officials' latest statements indicate that the issue remains unsettled.
The central question is no longer simply whether Starlink is working, but whether Ukraine can rely on the service to operate at the speeds and capabilities required by its military. Until Kyiv receives confirmation that the restrictions have been fully removed, uncertainty over the system will remain an important concern for Ukraine's battlefield operations and its relationship with Washington.