A bipartisan group of US senators has signed a letter demanding an urgent investigation into disruptions to the SpaceX Starlink internet network in Ukraine. The letter, sent to the US defence department inspector general, expresses “grave concern” about reports that speed limits were imposed on the network between 12 and 14 October.
Impact on Drone Operations
Starlink serves as a critical tool for Kyiv, allowing Ukrainian forces to guide drones to Russian targets and defend their airspace. According to the senators, the restrictions reportedly degraded Ukraine’s ability to conduct defensive operations against Russian drone and missile attacks on civilian infrastructure. The network restricted speed limits to 100mph (160km/h), meaning any weapons travelling faster than that lost connectivity to the system.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky addressed the issue during a news conference in Brussels on Friday. He confirmed that Starlink services were still being restored in his country. “Has the speed been fully restored to what it was before? No. Is the speed being restored now? Yes,” Zelensky said.
Safety Concerns for US Personnel
The senators also highlighted serious safety issues affecting American personnel in the region. The letter states they are “deeply concerned” by reports of disruptions or “glitches” affecting intelligence-sharing and threat-warning capabilities. Specifically, the lawmakers noted incidents where US diplomatic, military, and security personnel were unable to reach designated bunkers during Russian air raids.
“Given the potentially deadly consequences, these incidents require immediate investigation,” the statement added. The letter was led by Democratic Senator Jeanne Shaheen, a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. It was signed by Republican Senators Thom Tillis, Susan Collins, Lisa Murkowski, and John Cornyn, alongside Democratic Senators Richard Durbin, Jack Reed, Richard Blumenthal, and Christopher Coons.
Conflicting Accounts of Responsibility
Questions have arisen regarding who ordered the slowdown. A US official told the BBC that “no such request was ever made by the president [Donald Trump]”. However, SpaceX owner Elon Musk suggested on social media platform X that the US government may be behind the restrictions. Musk wrote 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]”.
Starshield is a government and military-focused service that relies on the civilian Starlink satellite network. Both services are owned by Musk’s SpaceX. The dispute comes amid broader tensions between Kyiv and Washington. Zelensky has accused the US of withdrawing intelligence-sharing to pressure Ukraine into ending attacks against Russian energy sites. He also criticized a recent agreement between Russia and the US to release 300,000 tonnes of diesel to the global marketplace, calling it an investment in Russia’s war effort.
Source: BBC
