Ukraine says Starlink restrictions lifted after Oslo talks with US and European allies
Ukraine says Starlink and Starshield speed restrictions were lifted following negotiations in Oslo on 20 October involving delegations from Ukraine, the United States and European allies. President Volodymyr Zelensky said intelligence exchanges with the United States had also resumed, while the shortage of air-defence systems remained unresolved.
Key points
- Starlink and Starshield are operating again at their pre-restriction speed, Zelensky confirmed on 24 October
- Starlink speed in Ukraine reached 420 km/h at 05:20 on 24 October
- Mid-October restrictions had limited Starlink to 161 km/h, with Starshield connections dropping above 160 km/h
- The restrictions disrupted military missions, slowed logistics and drone use, and prevented use on Shahed interceptors
- Ukraine and the US resumed intelligence sharing on Russian ballistic strikes against Ukraine
- Delegations from Ukraine, the US and European allies met in Oslo on 20 October
- The shortage of air-defence systems remained the only unresolved issue among the three discussed in Oslo
Why it matters
Restoring Starlink and Starshield to their previous speed reversed restrictions that had disrupted military missions, slowed logistics and drone use, and limited interceptor drones' ability to engage Shaheds. Resumption of intelligence sharing with the United States also supported Ukraine's ability to respond to Russian ballistic strikes. The continuing air-defence shortage remained unresolved, and conflicting statements over when the restrictions ended highlighted uncertainty about the status and control of a critical communications system during wartime.
What happened
Delegations from Ukraine, the United States and European allies met in Oslo on 20 October, where three issues were discussed: the shortage of air-defence systems, Starlink restrictions and limits on intelligence exchanges with the United States. Ukraine said restoring Starlink operations and intelligence exchanges with Washington were among the meeting's results. Zelensky confirmed on 24 October that Starlink and Starshield were again operating at their pre-restriction speed, with Starlink reaching 420 km/h at 05:20 that day. He said the intelligence-exchange and Starlink questions had been resolved, while the air-defence issue remained open. Ukraine also reported the resumption of intelligence exchanges concerning Russian ballistic strikes on the country.
How Ukrainian sources describe it
Ukrainian reporting centres on Zelensky's account that the restrictions and limits on intelligence sharing were resolved after the Oslo negotiations, while the air-defence shortage remained unresolved. Ukrainian coverage also highlights the operational consequences of the restrictions for Starshield, military missions, logistics, drones and the interception of Shaheds, and emphasises that public discussion of the Starlink issue helped secure the system's restoration.
How international sources describe it
International coverage links the restoration of Starlink operations and renewed intelligence sharing with the Oslo meeting involving Ukraine, the United States and European allies. It gives greater attention to the dispute over when the restrictions were lifted and to the related US investigation into how Ukraine lost access to Starlink communications.
Where reporting differs
Donald Trump said on 23 October that Elon Musk had lifted the Starlink restrictions, while Ukrainian military officials and Volodymyr Zelensky said the restrictions were still in effect.
Background
In mid-October, Starlink service in Ukraine was limited to 161 km/h, and the military Starshield connection reportedly dropped above 160 km/h. Ukrainian officials said the restrictions disrupted military missions, slowed logistics and drone use, and made it impossible to use the system on Shahed interceptors. A US investigation was initiated into how Ukraine lost access to Starlink communications, with Democratic senator Richard Blumenthal identified as its initiator.