Democrats prepare investigation into Starlink slowdown for Ukrainian Armed Forces

Democrats, following their victory in the US congressional special elections, are preparing an investigation into the slowdown of Starlink and Starshield operations for the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

This was reported by CNN.

According to the TV channel, the US Senate Foreign Relations Committee has sent requests to a number of companies and administration officials to preserve documents. In particular, Elon Musk received such a request in connection with the slowdown of Starlink.

If it emerges that the restrictions were imposed on Musk’s personal initiative, bypassing agreed procedures, this could be classified as a violation of export controls (ITAR) or Federal Communications Commission (FCC) rules, which carries fines of hundreds of millions of dollars.

“If the Senate investigation proves that the communications restrictions caused damage to US national security or violated the terms of defense contracts (after all, Starshield was developed specifically as a military segment commissioned by the Pentagon), the case will be referred to the relevant agencies,” the material says.

Requests were also received by banks, ports and private entities involved in deals for the supply of Russian diesel fuel. It is noted that tankers carrying diesel have already begun to change course.

In January, control of Congress will pass to the Democratic Party, and it is expected to be led by Senator Chris Coons. After that, Democrats will begin examining the decisions of President Donald Trump’s administration over the past two years.

In October, Ukraine restricted the operation of SpaceX’s Starlink internet, which disrupted several important combat operations of the Ukrainian Armed Forces. Western media also reported that Ukraine used the commercial Starlink communications package for military operations despite a ban by Elon Musk’s company.