US senators seek probe into Starlink speed limits affecting Ukraine

A bipartisan group of US senators has sent a letter to the US defence department inspector general demanding an urgent investigation into recent speed restrictions on SpaceX's Starlink internet service used by Ukraine. The senators, led by Democrat Jeanne Shaheen of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, said they have "grave concern" about reports that the network’s speed was limited between 12 and 14 October, affecting drone operations and intelligence-sharing capabilities.

"We are particularly alarmed by incidents in which U.S. diplomatic, military, and security personnel were unable to reach designated bunkers during Russian air raids," the statement read.

Ukraine reported that the speed cap was set at 100 mph (160 km/h), causing faster-moving weapons to lose connectivity. President Volodymyr Zelensky told a Brussels news conference that the service is being restored, but has not yet returned to its previous speed.

When asked whether the United States might have ordered the slowdown, a US official told the BBC that no such request was ever made by President Donald Trump.

SpaceX founder Elon Musk has suggested that the US government could be behind the limits, noting on X that "Starshield systems are owned and controlled by the US government. Any limits on speed or usage are decided by the US military and ultimately [the US president]".

The senators’ letter also expressed concern about reported glitches affecting intelligence-sharing and threat-warning functions relied upon by personnel operating in Ukraine.