Susanna Riva The Russian offensive that began in early 2022 has prompted Kiev to seek technological solutions to maintain its lines of communication on the ground. The Starlink system , operated by SpaceX , has become a crucial tool for drone operations and real-time information transmission. When US authorities imposed speed limits on the service, Ukrainian forces experienced a slowdown that hampered both air defense and attacks on Russian troops.
Trump confirms Musk's reinstatement of Starlink
On Thursday, October 22 , President Donald Trump told a Washington press conference that Elon Musk had reactivated Ukraine 's access to the satellite service. When asked if he had personally contacted the SpaceX founder, the president replied: " I don't want to comment on it, whether I called or whether somebody else called, it doesn't make any difference, I guess."
The bottom line — he put it back .” The summary of his speech indicates that, regardless of where the call came from, the result was the restoration of service.
Zelensky's concerns about service slowdown
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy disputed the news, noting that Starlink speeds had not yet returned to previous levels.
In a brief statement, he said: “ Speed on Starlink systems had not been restored for Ukraine .” Zelensky also hinted that he hoped to begin talks with Secretary of State Marco Rubio in the coming days to seek a more lasting solution.
Statements by Marco Rubio
The Secretary of State reiterated shortly before that decisions regarding Ukraine 's access to Starlink are the sole responsibility of SpaceX and Elon Musk , not the White House. This clarification appears to contradict Trump's claims that he had pressured the speed limits to be removed.
Military impact and diplomatic tensions
The service restriction had already compromised the Ukrainian military's attack drone and air defense missions, slowing the transmission of critical data. The restoration , albeit partial, has allowed several units to operate with increased bandwidth, but conflicting opinions between Washington and Kiev have fueled a new round of diplomatic tensions. Meanwhile, Russian forces continue to launch ballistic missiles on Kyiv, while Ukraine responds with hundreds of drones directed at Moscow, highlighting how the cyber race remains at the heart of the conflict.