Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Friday, October 23, 2026, that speed restrictions on the Starlink and Starshield satellite networks remain in effect. The statement contradicts claims made by U.S. President Donald Trump on Thursday that SpaceX owner Elon Musk had restored the service. Zelensky reported that the ongoing technical limitations continue to affect military communication and drone operations across the country.
The connectivity issues began on October 13, 2026. The slowdown followed a public disagreement where Zelensky criticized President Trump for waiving sanctions on Russia and reaching a deal to purchase Russian diesel. While The Wall Street Journal reported that Musk ordered the slowdown, Musk stated on social media that any speed limits are determined by the U.S. military and the president.
During a gaggle on the White House South Lawn on Friday, President Trump denied speaking directly to Musk about the restrictions but stated he would do so if the service was not restored. Trump said he had "heard it was fixed" and described Musk as a "fair person." However, Zelensky told the Hudson Institute on Friday that speed has not been restored and that agreed-upon deliveries of interceptors to defend against Russian ballistic missiles are also delayed.
Technical reports indicate that Starshield connections fail in most parts of Ukraine when drones exceed speeds of 100 mph. While some drone units reported reaching 125 mph on Friday, a person familiar with the matter stated that the same curbs largely remain in place. Ukrainian officials noted that the system was operating at higher speeds on Thursday following a reported call between Trump and Musk, but it had not returned to full functionality.
The scale of the impact is felt across the entire Ukrainian defense force, which relies on thousands of Starlink terminals for real-time data and command. The restrictions were first noticed on October 13 and have persisted for 10 days as of October 23. While specific dollar amounts for the service cost were not reported, the operational change is immediate: drone operators lose connections during high-speed intercepts, and commanders face delays in receiving intelligence, which Zelensky said makes defending front-line positions harder.
The situation sets a precedent regarding the influence of private satellite providers and executive branch directives over active combat zones. Zelensky said he intends to discuss the matter with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio in the coming days to seek a resolution. As of Friday afternoon, SpaceX has not provided an official explanation for the continued speed caps, and no specific deadline for full restoration has been established by the Trump administration.