Ukraine Says Starlink and Starshield Service Restored

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced Saturday, October 24, 2026, that Starlink and Starshield satellite communication services have been restored to their previous operating speeds following restrictions that affected Ukraine’s military capabilities.

Zelenskyy said restoration efforts began overnight, and by Saturday morning, both systems were operating at speeds sufficient to support military communications. Ukraine’s Defense Minister Yevhenii Khmara confirmed the restoration following testing conducted by the military. The president emphasized that the services are essential for frontline logistics and defending Ukrainian territory against Russian jet-powered Shahed drones.

The Ukrainian leader thanked President Donald Trump, the U.S. State Department, members of Congress, senators and others who helped resolve the restrictions. Zelenskyy said restoring the systems was critical to protecting Ukrainian lives and maintaining military operations.

While the communication systems have returned to normal operating conditions, Zelenskyy said Ukraine continues working with American and European partners to restore other areas of military cooperation. Among the country’s priorities is securing additional air defense interceptors capable of defending against Russian ballistic missiles. According to the president, Ukraine is still awaiting previously approved military assistance packages from both the United States and European allies.

Zelenskyy also announced preparations for meetings in Europe with representatives of the Trump administration and European leaders. The discussions are expected to continue next week as Ukraine seeks to maintain diplomatic cooperation with Washington while ensuring European countries remain involved in negotiations concerning the war.

The president also addressed an ongoing humanitarian effort involving Oleshky, a Russian-occupied city in Ukraine’s Kherson region, where he said Russian forces have mined roads and severely restricted access. Ukrainian officials have been negotiating an arrangement that would allow food and medicine to enter the city while providing civilians an opportunity to leave the combat zone. Zelenskyy said Ukraine is prepared to fulfill its commitments under the proposed arrangement and is counting on American mediation to help secure its implementation.

Additional discussions within the Ukrainian government have focused on protecting infrastructure, preparing for winter and strengthening emergency response capabilities in Kyiv and other regions. Zelenskyy also acknowledged recent Ukrainian long-range strikes targeting Russian production facilities supporting the war effort.

The restoration of Starlink and Starshield represents an important development for Ukraine’s military, which depends on satellite communications to coordinate operations, maintain battlefield connectivity and support defensive systems as the war with Russia continues.