US Senators Demand Investigation into Starlink Disruptions in Ukraine

A bipartisan group of U.S. senators has called for an urgent investigation into reported disruptions to SpaceX's Starlink internet network in Ukraine, expressing grave concern that these issues may have impeded the country's ability to defend itself.

The senators sent a letter on Thursday to the U.S. Department of Defense inspector general regarding reports of speed restrictions on Starlink between October 12 and 14. Starlink, a satellite internet service owned by Elon Musk's SpaceX, is crucial for Ukraine's military operations, including drone guidance and air defense.

The letter, led by Senator Jeanne Shaheen, a Democrat on the Senate's Foreign Relations Committee, specifically asks the inspector general to determine if the U.S. Department of Defense or its contractors were responsible for the alleged slowdown. According to the senators, these restrictions "reportedly degraded Ukraine's ability to conduct defensive operations against Russian drone and missile attacks on civilian infrastructure."

During the reported period, Starlink allegedly imposed speed limits of 100 mph (160 km/h), causing a loss of connectivity for any weapons traveling faster than that threshold. The senators also voiced deep concern over reports of disruptions affecting intelligence sharing and threat warning capabilities vital for personnel operating in Ukraine. They highlighted incidents where U.S. diplomatic, military, and security personnel reportedly could not reach designated bunkers during Russian air raids, stating these require immediate investigation due to potentially deadly consequences.

Signatories of the letter include Republican Senators Thom Tillis, Susan Collins, Lisa Murkowski, and John Cornyn, along with Democratic Senators Richard Durbin, Jack Reed, Richard Blumenthal, and Christopher Coons.

Elon Musk, owner of SpaceX, has suggested that the U.S. government might be behind the restrictions. He wrote on X (formerly Twitter) that "Starshield systems are owned and controlled by the US government. Any limits on speed or usage are decided by the US military and ultimately [the US president]." Starlink is a civilian service, while Starshield relies on the Starlink network and is designed for government and military use.

These developments come amid broader tensions and accusations between Ukraine, Russia, and the United States. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has accused the U.S. of withdrawing intelligence-sharing to pressure Kyiv into ceasing attacks against Russian energy sites. Zelensky stated that Ukraine's attacks would continue after Russia's continued strikes on Ukrainian energy infrastructure, despite a proposed "energy ceasefire."

Zelensky also criticized a recent agreement between Russia and the U.S. to release diesel fuel to the global market, viewing it as an indirect investment in Russia's war effort. This deal was part of U.S. efforts to lower domestic fuel prices ahead of midterm elections, occurring amidst rising costs attributed to international conflicts.