A bipartisan coalition of senators has formally requested an urgent investigation into recent disruptions of the SpaceX Starlink network in Ukraine. The letter, addressed to the U.S.
Department of Defense inspector general, highlights grave concerns regarding speed limits imposed between October 12 and 14, which reportedly prevented Ukrainian drones from maintaining connectivity while conducting defensive operations.
The senators are seeking to determine whether these restrictions originated from the Department of Defense or its contractors. Beyond battlefield impacts, the lawmakers expressed alarm over reports that U.S. diplomatic and military personnel were unable to access critical threat-warning systems during Russian air raids, potentially endangering lives.
While SpaceX owner Elon Musk has suggested that the U.S. government maintains control over the military-grade 'Starshield' systems, a U.S. official denied that the Trump administration requested any such slowdown.
Meanwhile, President Volodymyr Zelensky has alleged that the U.S. is leveraging intelligence-sharing and connectivity to pressure Ukraine regarding its strikes on Russian energy infrastructure.
As the situation unfolds, the senators are insisting on immediate accountability to ensure that technical glitches do not result in deadly consequences for those on the ground.
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