Ukraine’s access to critical Starlink and Starshield satellite links has been fully restored to the speeds required for front-line operations, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy confirmed on Saturday. The restoration follows more than a week of restricted service that significantly disrupted drone missions and military logistics. Zelenskyy stated that the recovery process began overnight and was complete by Saturday morning, providing a necessary boost to the country’s defense against Russian jet-powered Shahed drones.
Defense Minister Yevhenii Khmara attributed the resolution to direct dialogue and Zelenskyy’s diplomatic efforts with Washington. The disruption had caused friction between the two capitals, as Ukrainian commanders reported lost drones and compromised communication lines during the period of limited bandwidth. The restoration is viewed as vital for maintaining the backbone of Ukraine’s modern warfare capabilities, specifically the Starshield military-grade version of the service developed by SpaceX.
The technical resolution comes amid a broader diplomatic shift. Russia agreed on Wednesday to resume three-way negotiations with Washington and Kyiv next month, signaling a potential opening for high-level dialogue. Furthermore, a localized ceasefire was brokered on Friday around Oleshky, a war-torn town in the southern Kherson region currently under Russian occupation. Officials noted that the ceasefire was facilitated through the involvement of first lady Melania Trump.
Despite the diplomatic progress, internal questions persist regarding the origin of the recent satellite restrictions. President Donald Trump has denied ordering the interruptions and suggested that Elon Musk should not be held responsible. However, Vice President JD Vance has hinted at possible coordination between the White House and Musk, while Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth have denied any administration role in the outages. These internal contradictions have added to existing tensions, exacerbated by a reported deal between the U.S. and Moscow regarding Russian diesel imports, which some in Kyiv have characterized as a strategic betrayal.
On the battlefield, Ukrainian forces have significantly expanded their reach with a series of long-range strikes targeting Russian industrial and energy infrastructure. On Saturday, the Ukrainian General Staff confirmed drone strikes against an electronics plant in the Russian city of Oryol, which reportedly manufactures components for cruise and ballistic missiles. Local officials in Oryol stated that three people were killed in an attack on Friday. Additionally, a chemical plant in Tolyatti, which produces materials for rocket fuel, was targeted. Tolyatti Mayor Ilya Sukhikh confirmed that the overnight attack resulted in damage to industrial facilities.
In one of the most distant operations to date, Ukrainian drones reached the Omsk region in western Siberia, more than 2,000 kilometers from the border. Omsk Governor Vitaly Khotsenko reported that the drones targeted a northern industrial hub. The online retailer Ozon confirmed its logistics center in Omsk was hit, though no casualties were reported at that location. This follows previous strikes against facilities belonging to Wildberries, a major Ozon competitor. Meanwhile, Moscow-installed authorities in occupied Crimea reported widespread power blackouts on Saturday following overnight Ukrainian activity.
Within Ukraine, the human cost of the conflict continued to rise as Russian forces launched a missile attack on the city of Lozova in the Kharkiv region. Local officials reported Saturday that one person was killed and two others were wounded in the strike. The restoration of Starlink speeds is expected to assist Ukrainian forces in better coordinating their response to such aerial assaults and managing the complex logistics of their ongoing counter-operations.
