Ukrainian forces continue to experience capped speeds on the Starlink satellite network despite assurances from Donald Trump that access had been restored. The restrictions, which began last week following criticism of Ukraine by Trump and Elon Musk, are hindering Ukrainian military operations, particularly drone warfare and intercepting Russian attacks. Speeds remain around 100 mph, according to Serhii Beskrestnov, a military expert advising President Zelenskyy, with only isolated instances of slightly higher speeds likely due to SpaceX algorithms. The slowdown coincides with reports that Washington temporarily suspended intelligence-sharing with Kyiv and began importing Russian diesel, further straining US-Ukraine relations.
In response, Ukraine announced Friday it will partner with Finnish firms Nokia and ICEYE to develop an independent satellite communications system. Zelenskyy stated the partnership will bolster Ukraine’s defence and resilience, with a focus on protecting logistics and energy infrastructure. ICEYE CEO Rafal Modrzewski emphasized the need for Ukraine to control its own secure satellite communications. The move comes after Ukrainian officials reported sudden restrictions on Starlink services on October 13, impacting military operations.
Russia, meanwhile, indicated a willingness to resume trilateral talks with Ukraine and the US in Abu Dhabi next month, though previous negotiations have failed to yield progress. Moscow continues to demand Ukraine’s withdrawal from contested territory, a reduction in military size, and a commitment to neutrality. Putin reiterated his questioning of Ukraine’s sovereignty. The situation is further complicated by ongoing Russian attacks on Ukraine and Kyiv’s recent large-scale drone launches against Russia.
Our reading is that Ukraine is actively seeking to reduce its reliance on potentially unreliable external services like Starlink, particularly in light of recent disruptions and ambiguous explanations surrounding those disruptions. The announcement of a partnership to build an independent satellite system appears to be a direct response to the perceived vulnerability exposed by the Starlink slowdowns, and is framed as a matter of national security and resilience. The simultaneous reports of strained US-Ukraine relations and potential Russian willingness to negotiate suggest a complex geopolitical landscape where Ukraine is attempting to assert greater control over its own defense capabilities.
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