Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated during an online address at the Hudson Institute in Washington that satellite internet speed restrictions for Starlink are still in effect across Ukraine. According to him, the maximum speed threshold remains capped at 161 kilometers per hour, affecting both the civilian sector and units near the frontline. The situation surrounding the operation of this critical technology has drawn the attention of the US administration and prompted a response from US President Donald Trump.
Technical Restrictions and Ukrainian Response
The Ukrainian head of state noted that relevant agencies conducted a detailed check of Starlink terminal operations across several directions. The analysis showed that technical barriers have not yet been fully eliminated. Kyiv counts on the assistance of SpaceX and American partners to completely restore full communication capabilities without artificial speed limits.
Earlier, Ukrainian presidential adviser Dmytro Litvin also emphasized that limits on the military version of the system remain in place. In addition, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney stated that such manipulations of the satellite network create serious operational risks and highlight infrastructure vulnerability due to heavy reliance on US technological solutions.
Position of the US Administration
Commenting on the Ukrainian leadership's statements to journalists via the Rapid Response 47 platform on X, US President Donald Trump promised to personally discuss the issue if the problem truly persists. At the same time, the US leader emphasized that he does not consider SpaceX owner Elon Musk capable of having a destructive impact on the course of the armed conflict.
Donald Trump described Musk as a smart and fair person who would not do anything wrong. Earlier, on October 22, the White House chief claimed that restrictions for the Ukrainian military had already been lifted, but current ground reports indicate the need for further consultations between Washington and the system's developers.
Significance of the Situation and Next Steps
The uninterrupted operation of satellite internet remains a critical factor for coordinating the actions of Ukraine's defense forces and maintaining basic civilian infrastructure. The continuation of speed limits demonstrates vulnerability to decisions made by private technology companies, prompting the Ukrainian leadership to seek diplomatic and technical solutions to the problem jointly with international partners.
