Ukraine says Starlink now operating above 161 km/h speed cap

Ukraine's Ministry of Defence reported on Saturday, 24 October, that Starlink and Starshield satellite terminals inside the country are operating at velocities above 161 km/h — the threshold whose enforcement had crippled domestic counter-drone operations in recent weeks.

Defence specialists and military communications teams began registering parameters above that limit early Saturday morning, a ministry source said. Tests are continuing at higher speeds to determine whether the restoration is unconditional or whether a secondary ceiling remains in place.

A ministry source stated that as of the morning of October 24, "Starlink/Starshield has begun working at speeds greater than 161 km/h," with the Defence Forces of Ukraine and Ministry of Defence specialists recording the development.

President Volodymyr Zelensky had disclosed on 17 October that terminals mounted on Ukrainian unmanned interceptors were disconnecting automatically whenever platforms exceeded 161 km/h, cutting telemetry feeds and causing operators to lose control of aircraft in flight. The cap left Ukraine's air defences unable to track high-speed aerial threats, which cruise at between 400 and 600 km/h according to the ministry.

To verify the restriction was deliberate, Ukrainian specialists drove Starlink-equipped vehicles into EU territory, where terminals functioned without interruption at 180 km/h. Robotic logistics platforms delivering medical supplies and rations to frontline positions were also affected by the curbs.

Military teams say they are monitoring performance at speeds beyond 161 km/h to confirm the extent of any restoration.