Starlink curbs remain despite Trump's assurance, Zelenskyy says Ukraine still worried

The war between Russia and Ukraine is no longer limited to missiles, tanks and soldiers. Internet and satellite technology now play a decisive role in the fighting. The issue of restrictions on the Starlink network, which is vital to Ukraine's military operations, has flared up again.

US President Donald Trump had said after speaking to Elon Musk that the service had been restored. But Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy told ABC News on Friday that there has been no improvement in actual conditions so far. Despite the assurance from the United States, concern over Ukraine's military systems remains.

Ukraine's army makes large-scale use of unmanned drones to strike Russian positions and to counter enemy drones. Starlink and the military-use Starshield technology are essential for controlling these drones and keeping contact with them.

Ukraine has said that under the restrictions in force since October 14, the internet connection of some devices is cut once they cross a speed of about 161 km per hour. As a result, operations involving fast drones are being hampered. Some military units are also reported to be facing connectivity problems at lower speeds.

Trump had said on Thursday that Elon Musk had restored the service. But Zelenskyy made clear that Ukraine's military has not yet seen the improvement it expected. There is slight improvement in some places, but service across Ukraine is not back to what it was. This has raised questions over Trump's claim. It has also emerged that Ukraine has not received a clear answer from the United States on the restrictions.

Elon Musk and the US administration are saying different things on the matter. According to Musk, the Starshield network is owned by the US government and is under its control, so the US military and the President have the right to set limits on its use. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, on the other hand, has said the Trump administration issued no order to impose the restrictions. These contradictory statements leave it unclear who actually took the decision.

For Ukraine, this is not merely a question of internet service. It is directly tied to communication on the battlefield, drone control and the working of air defence. With Russia carrying out continuous drone attacks, disruption of satellite connectivity could prove serious for Ukraine's security. The world is therefore watching whether the United States removes the restrictions fully and whether the service resumes as before.