Democratic lawmakers are demanding answers from SpaceX CEO Elon Musk about disruptions to Ukraine’s satellite communications systems, questioning whether he personally ordered restrictions on Ukrainian forces and who controls access moving forward.
Sens. Adam Schiff (D-CA) and Peter Welch (D-VT), along with Rep. Gregory Meeks (D-NY), the ranking member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, sent Musk a letter requesting answers by Oct. 31 about restrictions that affected Starlink and Starshield, SpaceX’s military-grade satellite communications systems controlled by the Department of War.
The letter cited conflicting accounts of who ordered the restrictions and whether Ukraine’s access had been fully restored. The lawmakers also questioned whether Musk or SpaceX officials had discussed limiting Ukrainian military communications with Russian President Vladimir Putin, President Donald Trump, or their representatives.
“Access to Starlink has recently been throttled or cut off entirely, without a clear explanation as to why,” the lawmakers wrote, noting the system’s importance to Ukraine’s defense against Russian missile and drone attacks.
They asked Musk to disclose whether SpaceX had reduced or shut off access to Ukrainian forces this month, who authorized any restrictions, and whether the White House had requested a restoration of service. They also sought clarification on which individuals or agencies would control future decisions about Ukrainian access.
The lawmakers warned that Musk’s alleged personal control over a foreign military’s communications could raise questions about corporate governance and geopolitical risks that may require disclosure to shareholders and the public.
The dispute comes after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky appealed to Musk and Trump for help last week, warning that the restrictions put Kyiv at a significant disadvantage in its war against Russia. Trump had pledged to get the issue “straightened out,” while Musk and the U.S. government disputed responsibility for the disruption.
Ukrainian Defense Minister Yevhenii Khmara said over the weekend that Starshield had returned to full capacity, marking a potential breakthrough after days of uncertainty over the system’s availability.
Musk, however, defended SpaceX’s actions, saying Saturday that the company had closed a loophole in Starlink that allowed Ukraine to conduct lethal drone attacks on civilians, which he argued violated the system’s terms of service.
Musk says SpaceX closed Starlink ‘loophole’ allowing lethal Ukrainian drone strikes
Musk emphasized the technology’s importance to Ukraine’s military.
“Starlink remains critical to the defense of Ukraine,” Musk wrote, arguing that shutting down the service would cause Ukraine’s front line to collapse immediately. He also credited SpaceX with helping prevent Russia from overrunning Ukraine early in the war, when Russian attacks disrupted other communications infrastructure.
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[ H/T Washington Examiner ]
