WASHINGTON (Reuters) – U.S. House Democrats are launching an investigation into SpaceX to determine if the company is taking adequate measures to prevent Russia from using Starlink satellite internet service in their conflict with Ukraine, according to two lawmakers on Thursday.
Addressing a letter to SpaceX, the two Democrats expressed concerns over allegations by Ukrainian intelligence officials that Russian military forces were utilizing Starlink’s terminals in eastern Ukraine, raising the possibility of violating U.S. sanctions.
In the letter to SpaceX President Gwynne Shotwell, Representatives Jamie Raskin and Robert Garcia highlighted the potential threat posed by Russia’s alleged “misuse of Starlink terminals outside Russia’s internationally recognized borders” to Ukraine’s security, Ukrainian lives, and U.S. national security.
The Kremlin has denied allegations that its troops are using Starlink, which is a subsidiary of Elon Musk’s SpaceX. Representatives for SpaceX have not yet provided a response to the letter, as reported by The Washington Post.
Starlink terminals play a crucial role in providing high-speed internet connection and were swiftly deployed to assist Ukraine following Russia’s invasion in February 2022, proving essential for Kyiv’s battlefield communication needs.
Ukrainian officials claimed in February that Russia acquired the terminals from Arab countries and deployed them in areas under its control in Ukraine. In response, Kiev has requested SpaceX to prevent Moscow from utilizing these terminals in occupied territories.
Starlink has maintained that it does not engage in any business with the Russian government or military. Elon Musk also refuted reports alleging that the company was selling terminals to Russia in a post on X last month.
The inquiry by U.S. lawmakers comes amidst efforts by Western nations to provide additional military aid and financial support to Ukraine following Kyiv’s unsuccessful counteroffensive last summer and the subsequent resurgence of Russian forces on the battlefield.
Ukraine is gearing up for counteroffensive actions, marking more than two years since Russian troops invaded the neighboring former Soviet state. Despite appeals for increased aid, a crucial U.S. assistance package has faced delays, largely due to objections from Republicans in Congress at the insistence of former President Donald Trump.
President Joe Biden, a Democrat, is set to renew his request for a $95 billion aid package for weapons for Ukraine in his State of the Union address scheduled for Thursday night. The Democratic lawmakers asked SpaceX to provide a response by March 20 in their letter dated Wednesday.
(Additional reporting by Makini Brice and Akash Sriram; writing by Susan Heavey; Editing by Tomasz Janowski)
