Reports have emerged in Ukraine that Starlink satellite communications have resumed at speeds exceeding 161 km/h. According to Ukrainian media, citing sources within the Ministry of Defence, some terminals are already maintaining a connection even after exceeding the previously set limit. Experts are continuing to carry out tests to determine the system’s maximum operating speed and to check the stability of the connection.
- There have been reports of individual Starlink terminals operating at speeds in excess of 161 km/h.
- According to Ukrainian media reports, experts from the Ministry of Defence are testing the performance of the communications system at higher speeds.
- Restrictions on the Starshield military service were introduced on 14 October.
- As early as 23 October, the Ukrainian military reported a loss of communication whilst travelling at a speed of 161 km/h.
What is known about the resumption of Starlink’s operations
According to reports in the Ukrainian media, which cite sources within the Ministry of Defence, Satellite terminals have begun to maintain a connection at speeds exceeding the previously established threshold of 161 km/h.
Experts are continuing to test the equipment, determine its performance limits and ascertain whether a stable connection is maintained whilst travelling at high speed.
At the same time, the results of individual tests do not confirm that the service has been fully restored for all units of the Defence Forces. The company SpaceX has not announced the definitive lifting of the speed limit for Ukrainian military personnel.
Why did Starlink lose connection at a speed of 161 km/h?
Problems with the military version of satellite internet Starshield occurred on the night of 14 October. On that occasion, the Ukrainian military recorded a loss of communication whilst the equipment was travelling at a speed of approximately 160 km/h.
In various models, interruptions also occurred at lower speeds — from 72 km/h, depending on the equipment and operating conditions.
These restrictions have hampered the use of interceptor drones and attack drones, as well as the carrying out of reconnaissance and communications relay missions.
The Ukrainian Ministry of Defence has begun consultations with SpaceX, the US and NATO partners regarding the restoration of the system’s stable operation.
Trump announced the lifting of the restrictions, but Ukraine has not confirmed this
22 October, the US President Donald Trump said. Elon Musk Starlink service for Ukraine has resumed. However, the Ukrainian military has not confirmed that the system is fully back to its previous operating conditions. The following day, sources at the Ministry of Defence reported that the terminals continue to lose connection at speeds of 161 km/h.
Adviser to the President of Ukraine on defence technologies Sergey Beskrestnov, known as «Flash», explained that isolated instances of Starlink operating at higher speeds may be linked to SpaceX’s algorithms or specific usage conditions.
He emphasised that such cases do not in themselves indicate that the restrictions have been lifted.
Why restoring communications is important for Ukrainian drones
The Starlink satellite communication system and its military version, Starshield, are used by the Defence Forces to control unmanned systems, transmit information and coordinate combat missions.
Speed limits have a particular impact on drones that need to travel at speeds exceeding 160 km/h. This applies, in particular, to certain interceptors designed to counter Russian attack drones.
Restoring a stable, high-speed connection would make it possible to reduce the dependence of such tasks on the set limit.
