DOMINANT ANGLE
Helsinki is gauging the Starlink case from the front: from Kiev, where Orpo is listening to Zelensky, the press is mainly retaining that the 160 km/h speed limit is still hindering Ukrainian drones.
Dominant angle identified — does not reflect unanimity of this country’s media
KEY POINTS
- 01
Alongside Petteri Orpo in Kiev, Zelensky stated that Starlink's speed had not been restored (MTV Uutiset).
- 02
An anonymous Ukrainian official claims the speed remains limited to 160 km/h, hindering medium-range strikes and fast drone interception (YLE).
- 03
Trump refuses to say if he called Musk but claims he restored access; Musk denies that SpaceX throttled and refers to the US military (Ilta-Sanomat).
ANALYSIS
Helsinki, October 23, 2026. The Finnish press is addressing the Starlink issue through the visit of Prime Minister Petteri Orpo to Kiev. On Thursday evening, during a joint press conference at the presidential palace, Volodymyr Zelensky stated that the service speed had not been restored, and said he hopes to discuss the matter soon with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio (MTV Uutiset).
Ilta-Sanomat and MTV are reporting the Wall Street Journal's version: Donald Trump allegedly called Elon Musk to ask him to lift the restrictions on Starshield, the military version of Starlink. Trump refused to say if he had made the call, but claimed that Musk had "restored" Ukraine's access. Ilta-Sanomat dates the call to Wednesday, while MTV says it was on Thursday: the articles do not agree on this point. According to the newspaper, the US President said he was frustrated that the speed remains capped at around 160 km/h.
The military stakes are being highlighted. The 160 km/h cap affects moving vehicles: Ilta-Sanomat explains that Ukraine pilots its drones using these connections, and Zelensky mentions effects on frontline logistics, medium-range strikes, and drone defense. MTV recalls that Ukrainian drones began falling from the sky after mid-October.
YLE is giving a voice to Kiev's objections. Citing the Kyiv Independent, it reports that an anonymous Ukrainian official believes that "nothing has changed anywhere" and that the 160 km/h limit is disrupting strikes and fast drone interception. This version contradicts the Wall Street Journal's, which stated that the system was functioning "more normally" on Thursday; some officials say it is now faster than before, although not back to its full level.
The question of responsibility remains. Ilta-Sanomat notes that, according to Wall Street Journal sources, Musk is behind the restrictions, which he denies, referring to the US military and the President. MTV mentions the hypothesis of a retaliation by Trump after Ukrainian strikes on the Russian oil industry, and reports that Reuters, citing sources, spoke of an order from the White House. Ilta-Sanomat concludes that the current state of the service in Ukraine is not known with certainty.
SOURCES (3)
- YLE UutisetMEDIUM
- MTV UutisetMEDIUM
- Ilta-SanomatMEDIUM
