In recent days, US senators from both of the country’s main political parties have drawn attention to serious problems with the operation of the Starshield satellite systems, which support Ukrainian partners. In a letter addressed to the Inspector General of the US Department of Defence, Platt Moring III, nine senators expressed concern about malfunctions in this technology, which, in their view, could jeopardise not only US military and diplomatic personnel but also Ukraine’s ability to defend itself.
The senators are calling for an immediate investigation to determine exactly who within the US government was aware of the issues and how they could have been authorised. Their statement also emphasises that Ukraine needs unrestricted access to data transfer speeds, as previously stipulated in the terms of service. However, recent speed restrictions, which are affecting military operations, have become a real obstacle in the fight against Russian drones.
An interesting twist in this story involves Elon Musk, the CEO of SpaceX. He noted on the social media platform X that the speed limit is determined by the US military, with the final decision resting with the President. Whilst the US presidential administration denies any involvement in these restrictions, Musk emphasised that Starshield is government-owned, whereas Starlink is a commercial service that cannot be used for offensive military operations.
The situation became even more tense following a statement by Ukraine’s former Defence Minister Mykhailo Fedorov and reports of US demands on Ukraine regarding strikes on Russian oil refineries. This provoked the displeasure of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, and in response, US President Donald Trump stated that a change of leadership was needed in Ukraine.
Meanwhile, Starshield’s operations have resumed, though the question of the future of the contracts and the US’s next steps in this regard remains open. New diplomatic battles may lie ahead, which will determine how and in what form SpaceX’s technology will be used in Ukraine.