SpaceX Lifts Starlink Restrictions on Ukrainian Military Drones

SpaceX has restored full access to its Starlink satellite network for the Ukrainian military, ending a period of significant disruption that lasted over one week. The move allows Kyiv to resume critical drone operations against Russian forces without the connectivity gaps that had hindered recent strikes. Defence Minister Yevhenii Khmara announced the resolution on Saturday, marking the end of a technical standoff that raised questions about the reliability of foreign infrastructure in wartime.

Khmara stated that connections for both Starlink and Starshield are now stable on equipment moving at speeds exceeding 400 kilometres per hour. He attributed the successful restoration to diplomatic efforts with Washington and the direct involvement of President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. The minister’s confirmation suggests that the technical and political hurdles have been resolved, allowing for the resumption of high-speed data transmission essential for real-time drone control.

Ukraine has relied heavily on satellite services provided by Elon Musk’s SpaceX for its communication and drone missions. The cause of the initial restrictions remained unclear for several days. US President Donald Trump denied personal responsibility for the changes while simultaneously defending Musk, leaving the exact chain of command behind the decision ambiguous. This uncertainty added to the complexity of the situation for Ukrainian planners who depend on these links for operational coordination.

The incident placed additional strain on relations between Kyiv and Washington. These ties were already under pressure following Trump’s agreement to temporarily lift sanctions on Russian diesel and allow US imports. The diplomatic friction intensified earlier in October when Trump called for a new president in Ukraine. On Monday, he suggested that someone other than Zelenskyy should negotiate on behalf of Kyiv. These exchanges follow a public confrontation between the two leaders at the White House in February 2025.

The return of service arrives as the United States works to revive peace negotiations between Moscow and Kyiv. Negotiators from Ukraine, Russia, and the US are expected to meet in Abu Dhabi in the first half of November. This potential round of talks would come more than four years after Russia launched its full-scale invasion in February 2022. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov confirmed the planned meetings on Friday, while Zelenskyy announced an agreement on technical-level discussions.

Trump also credited his wife, Melania Trump, with securing a local ceasefire in Oleshky, a town in the Kherson region of southern Ukraine. Russian forces have occupied the area since 2022. Later statements from Ukrainian and Russian officials indicated that the ceasefire would begin on October 27. A humanitarian operation is scheduled for October 29 to assist those affected by the conflict in the region.

Combat operations continued despite the diplomatic developments. A Russian missile strike on Lozova in the northeastern Kharkiv region killed one man and wounded two others on Saturday, according to Governor Oleh Syniehubov. In the northern Chernihiv region, a Russian attack on Friday resulted in one death and at least 25 injuries, local authorities reported. Donetsk officials stated that shelling in Kramatorsk killed one person and wounded six, including three children. In Sloviansk, Mayor Vadym Lyakh said Friday’s attacks killed a 62-year-old woman and injured four people.

Ukraine reported strikes inside Russia on Friday and into Saturday. Targets included the Togliattikauchuk petrochemical plant in Togliatti, a major producer of synthetic rubber. Mayor Ilya Sukhikh confirmed industrial damage but reported no casualties. Ukraine also claimed a hit on the Proton electronics plant in Oryol, which manufactures missile components. Regional Governor Andrei Klychkov reported three deaths in an attack on an unidentified facility. Authorities in Russian-occupied Crimea reported power cuts following overnight Ukrainian attacks.

The Russian Defence Ministry announced that its air defences intercepted a SCALP cruise missile, four Neptune missiles, and 1,297 Ukrainian fixed-wing drones over a 24-hour period, according to TASS. These figures could not be independently verified. The high volume of intercepted drones highlights the continued intensity of the aerial campaign as both sides adjust to the restored satellite connectivity.