Symbolic imageUkraine says Starlink limits remain after Trump says Musk lifted them
Zelensky and Ukrainian troops say speed caps on Starlink and its military version Starshield persist, contradicting Trump. Kyiv is also moving toward an independent satellite system with Finnish firms.
Trump said on Thursday, 22 October, that Starlink in Ukraine worked without restrictions again, and the Wall Street Journal reported that he had told Musk to lift them. On Friday, Zelensky told the Hudson Institute that the speed has not been restored and that agreed interceptors against Russian ballistic missiles are still delayed. The Associated Press, citing a senior European official, reports that Kyiv has no explanation of who ordered the cap or why. Ukrainian troops first reported the problem on 14 October, when Starshield terminals lost connection once drones exceeded 160 km/h. Trump denies ordering the cap, and Musk says Pentagon and White House decide on Starshield. Asked on Friday, Trump said: "I've heard it was fixed, but if it's not, I'll speak to him." Downing Street said British prime minister Andy Burnham told Trump by phone that Ukraine needs full access.
Kyiv turns to Finnish firms
During a visit to Kyiv by Finnish prime minister Petteri Orpo, Ukraine's defence ministry signed a letter of intent with ICEYE and Nokia to work on independent satellite communications. Handelsblatt reports that no details or timeline were given.