In brief
A group of US senators, led by Democrat Jeanne Shaheen, has requested the Department of Defense Inspector General investigate reported speed limits imposed on SpaceX’s Starlink network in Ukraine. The restrictions, reportedly set between 12 and 14 October, could reduce drones’ connectivity and affect the country’s defence operations. Ukraine’s officials claim the slowdown undermines civilian defence and intelligence sharing, while Elon Musk has suggested the U.S. military may be behind the changes. The senators seek a swift inquiry to determine the cause and potential U.S. involvement.
A bipartisan group of US senators has signed a letter, addressed to the Department of Defense inspector general, calling for an immediate investigation into disruptions to SpaceX’s Starlink internet service in Ukraine. The letter, led by Senator Jeanne Shaheen of New Hampshire, expresses “grave concern” over reports that Starlink imposed speed limits on drones between 12 and 14 October, potentially weakening Ukraine’s ability to target Russian forces and protect its own airspace.
Starlink, a civilian satellite‑based internet system owned by Elon Musk’s SpaceX, reportedly limited drone speeds to 100 mph (160 km/h). Under that threshold, weapons moving faster than the limit reportedly lost connectivity to the network, according to Ukrainian officials. The restrictions are alleged to degrade Ukraine’s defensive operations and impair intelligence‑sharing capabilities used by military and diplomatic personnel.
Senators have cited specific incidents where “U.S. diplomatic, military and security personnel were unable to reach designated bunkers during Russian air raids.” They argue that such disruptions carry “potentially deadly consequences” and demand an inquiry to determine whether the United States Department of Defense or its contractors were responsible.
In response, Elon Musk has suggested on X that the U.S. military ultimately decides on any limitations on Starlink use, after noting that Starshield, the military‑focused version of the service, is owned and controlled by the U.S. government. Musk’s comments, along with Ukrainian and Russian reactions over the ongoing energy ceasefire talks, fuel speculation that the speed limits may be politically motivated.
The letter is signed by fifteen senators, including Republicans Thom Tillis, Susan Collins, Lisa Murkowski and John Cornyn, and Democrats Richard Durbin, Jack Reed, Richard Blumenthal and Christopher Coons. Their collective appeal seeks a transparent investigation, emphasising that the restrictions, if proven accidental or induced by U.S. policy, warrant a comprehensive review to restore full operational capacity to Ukraine’s forces.
