US senators call for investigation into Ukraine Starlink restrictions

Key Points:

• A bipartisan group of US senators has called for an urgent investigation into disruptions to SpaceX's Starlink internet network in Ukraine, expressing "grave concern" over speed restrictions imposed between October 12 and 14.
• Starlink, crucial for Ukraine's drone operations against Russian targets, reduced speed limits to 100 mph, causing faster-moving weapons to lose connectivity; Ukraine's President Zelensky confirmed that service restoration is ongoing but not yet complete.
• The senators' letter, led by Democrat Jeanne Shaheen, requests the US defense department inspector general to determine if the restrictions were imposed by the US defense department or its contractors, amid concerns over intelligence-sharing and threat-warning disruptions.
• Elon Musk suggested that the US government, which controls Starshield systems built on Starlink's network, may be responsible for the imposed limits, while Zelensky accused the US of withdrawing intelligence support to pressure Ukraine to halt attacks on Russian energy sites.
• Despite an "energy ceasefire" proposal announced by former President Trump, Zelensky vowed to continue attacks after Russia allegedly violated the ceasefire by striking Ukrainian energy infrastructure, a claim denied by Moscow.