US senators demand inquiry into Starlink speed limits in Ukraine

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 16 Oct, 17:08 · Archive

US senators have called for an investigation into temporary speed restrictions imposed on Starlink that disrupted Ukraine's military operations.

A bipartisan group of US senators has called for an investigation into speed restrictions imposed on SpaceX's Starlink network in Ukraine between 12 and 14 October. The restrictions, which limited how fast drones could fly while maintaining internet connection to 100mph, reportedly disrupted multiple military missions and degraded Ukraine's ability to conduct defensive operations against Russian drone and missile attacks.

The letter, led by Democratic Senator Jeanne Shaheen and sent to the US defence department inspector general, asks for an urgent investigation into whether the restrictions were caused by the US defence department or its contractors. The senators also express concern about reports of disruptions affecting intelligence-sharing and threat-warning capabilities.

A US official told the BBC that "no such request was ever made by the president". President Volodymyr Zelensky described the move as a "big mistake" and told a news conference in Brussels on Friday that Starlink services were being restored but had not returned to full speed. By 15 October, Starlink services had been restored to full capacity.

How it is being reported

• Starlink dispute spotlights Ukraine’s reliance on US in intensifying battle for the skies against PutinNew speed restrictions, imposed without notice remotely by code, contributed to multiple mission failures for UkraineIndependent World · 16 Oct, 16:55
• US senators call for investigation into Ukraine's Starlink restrictionsUkraine says temporary speed limits to the Starlink internet network disrupted its battlefield missions.BBC World · 16 Oct, 13:16

In this story: Ukraine · United States · SpaceX · Elon Musk · Jeanne Shaheen · Volodymyr Zelensky · Russia

This summary was written by AI from the headlines and standfirsts above, and states as fact only what at least two outlets report. How we use AI · Report a problem