In brief
A network of US senators has written to the Defense Department’s inspector general demanding a thorough investigation into recent Starlink restrictions that allegedly slowed drone speeds in Ukraine. The letter cites concerns that the slowdown, set between 12 and 14 October, may have degraded Ukraine’s ability to counter Russian missile attacks and disrupt intelligence sharing. Senators, led by Jeanne Shaheen, ask whether the US defence department or its contractors imposed the limits. The dispute comes amid anger over perceived US pressure on Ukraine and suggestions that the US may control Starlink through its Starshield programme. Elon Musk has hinted that any such limits come from US military decision‑makers.
A bipartisan group of US senators has signed a letter urging the Department of Defense inspector general to investigate reports that SpaceX’s Starlink network slowed drone speeds in Ukraine.
Starlink has become a lifeline for the Ukraine defence, allowing Kyiv commanders to guide drones, conduct real‑time surveillance and protect critical infrastructure. On the night of 12‑13 October, Ukrainian forces reported that the service imposed a speed limit of 100 mph (160 km/h) on their drones – a restriction that would cut off any weapons travelling faster than the cap from the network.
The senators, led by Democratic Senator Jeanne Shaheen of New Hampshire, expressed grave concern over the incident and questioned whether the acceleration limits were imposed by the US Department of Defense or its contractors. The letter, sent Thursday, specifically requests that the inspector general determine the source of the restrictions and the potential impact on Ukraine’s defensive capabilities.
White House and Pentagon officials have so far offered no comment on the allegations. Meanwhile, Elon Musk has suggested on X that the US could be behind the slowdown, pointing to Starshield – the government‑grade offering built on Starlink – as being under US military control.
Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky has accused the US of withdrawing intelligence support to pressure Kyiv into pulling back attacks on Russian energy sites. He said Ukraine would continue its operations after Russia violated a bilateral energy ceasefire announced by former President Donald Trump.
The senators’ collective signatories include Republicans Thom Tillis, Susan Collins, Lisa Murkowski and John Cornyn, as well as Democrats Richard Durbin, Jack Reed, Richard Blumenthal and Christopher Coons, signalling a cross‑party consensus on the urgency of the issue.
With the stakes high in the battle for information dominance, the senators’ call for an investigation is a reminder of the delicate balance between commercial tech and military strategy in the midst of ongoing conflict.
