Key facts
- Starshield internet speeds restored to over 400 km/h.
- Previous speed limit for Starshield was 161 km/h.
- Restoration is vital for Ukraine's defense, drone use, logistics, and communications.
Starshield, the militarized version of Elon Musk's Starlink satellite internet system, is now operating at speeds exceeding 400 kilometers per hour, Ukraine's Defense Ministry announced on October 24. This marks a significant increase from the previous speed cap of 161 kilometers per hour, which had been hindering Ukraine's military capabilities, including drone operations and logistics. President Volodymyr Zelensky had confirmed on October 23 that the speed restrictions were still in effect. Reports from October 23 indicated that President Trump had ordered SpaceX CEO Elon Musk to lift these restrictions on October 21. U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal also announced an investigation into the disruption on October 23.