A bipartisan group of U.S. senators sent a letter on Thursday to the U.S. Department of Defense inspector general, requesting an investigation into reported speed restrictions on SpaceX's Starlink internet network in Ukraine. The lawmakers cited reports of connectivity disruptions between October 12 and 14 that affected Ukraine's ability to operate defensive drones and protect civilian infrastructure from Russian attacks.
The Starlink network, owned by Elon Musk's SpaceX, provides satellite internet access used by Kyiv to guide drones and coordinate defense systems. According to the senators, speed limits were restricted to 100 mph (160 km/h) on a Tuesday night, causing weapons traveling above that speed to lose connection. The letter also reported glitches that allegedly prevented U.S. diplomatic and security personnel from reaching bunkers during air raids.
Sen. Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) led the effort, joined by Republican Senators Thom Tillis, Susan Collins, Lisa Murkowski, and John Cornyn, as well as Democratic Senators Richard Durbin, Jack Reed, Richard Blumenthal, and Christopher Coons. The group is seeking to determine if the Department of Defense or its contractors played a role in the slowdown. SpaceX owner Elon Musk stated on the social media platform X on Wednesday that Starshield systems—a version of Starlink for government use—are controlled by the U.S. government and that any usage limits are decided by the U.S. military.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has separately accused the U.S. of withdrawing intelligence-sharing to pressure Kyiv into halting attacks on Russian energy infrastructure. This follows a reported energy ceasefire announced by U.S. President Donald Trump on a Sunday, which Zelensky claimed Russia violated within hours. The White House and the Pentagon have not yet responded to the allegations regarding the Starlink slowdown.
For the federal government, the investigation seeks to clarify the management of Starshield, a satellite system developed by SpaceX. The outcome could determine how much control private contractors like SpaceX maintain over defense infrastructure versus the U.S. military. The senators noted that the disruptions also interfered with intelligence-sharing and threat-warning capabilities relied upon by U.S. diplomatic and security personnel operating in Ukraine.
The inquiry will also address whether U.S. policy is being used to influence Ukrainian battlefield tactics. President Zelensky’s claims regarding the withdrawal of intelligence-sharing suggest a possible shift in U.S. support tied to energy markets, specifically a deal to release 300,000 tonnes of diesel to the global marketplace. The inspector general's findings may set a precedent for how the U.S. government coordinates with private satellite providers during foreign conflicts. A specific deadline for the inspector general's response was not reported.