A bipartisan group of US senators has called for an urgent investigation into Starlink speed restrictions in Ukraine, citing concerns over degraded defensive capabilities and safety risks to personnel.
A bipartisan group of US senators has signed a letter demanding an urgent investigation into disruptions to SpaceX's Starlink internet network in Ukraine. The letter, sent to the US defence department inspector general, expresses "grave concern" about reports of speed curbs between 12 and 14 October.
Starlink is a vital tool allowing Kyiv to guide drones to Russian targets and protect its own skies. On Tuesday night, Ukraine reported that it had unexpectedly restricted how fast drones could fly while maintaining internet connection. According to the BBC, Starlink restricted speed limits to 100mph (160km/h), meaning any weapons that travelled faster than that lost connectivity to the network.
The senators, led by Jeanne Shaheen, a Democrat on the Senate's Foreign Relations Committee, called for the inspector general to determine whether the restrictions were caused by the US defence department or its contractors. The letter states that "restrictions reportedly degraded Ukraine's ability to conduct defensive operations against Russian drone and missile attacks on civilian infrastructure."
The senators also expressed that they are "deeply concerned" by reports of disruptions or "glitches" affecting intelligence-sharing and threat-warning capabilities relied upon by personnel operating in Ukraine.
"We are particularly alarmed by incidents in which U.S. diplomatic, military, and security personnel were unable to reach designated bunkers during Russian air raids," the statement says. "Given the potentially deadly consequences, these incidents require immediate investigation," the senators add.
Signatories to the letter include Republican Senators Thom Tillis, Susan Collins, Lisa Murkowski and John Cornyn, alongside Democratic Senators Richard Durbin, Jack Reed, Richard Blumenthal and Christopher Coons.
SpaceX owner Elon Musk has suggested the US government may be behind the restrictions. On Wednesday, Musk wrote on X 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 that uses satellites in low Earth orbit to provide internet access. Starshield, which relies on the Starlink network, is designed for government and military use. Both are owned by Musk's SpaceX.
Asked whether the US might have had a role in the slowdown, a US official told the BBC "no such request was ever made by the president [Donald Trump]."
Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky told a news conference in Brussels on Friday that Starlink services were still being restored. "Has the speed been fully restored to what it was before? No. Is the speed being restored now? Yes," he said.
The investigation highlights tensions between US military oversight of satellite communications and Ukraine's operational needs during the war. The senators' call for an inquiry underscores fears that technical restrictions or administrative decisions could compromise the safety of both Ukrainian civilians and US personnel stationed in the region.
Sources
This article was drafted with AI assistance and checked against the sources above. Company claims are reported as claims. Cover image is AI-generated.
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