US lawmakers urge Pentagon to expand Ukraine's Starshield contract and restore unrestricted Starlink access
Bipartisan members of the US Congress called on Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and the Pentagon to expand Ukraine's Starshield contract and restore unrestricted Starlink and Starshield service after recent disruptions. They also urged uninterrupted service during the transition to the government program, continued geographic coverage, and consideration of federal defense-production authorities. Ukrainian officials said speed restrictions remained in place, contradicting US claims that access had been fully restored.
Key points
- US lawmakers issued a bipartisan, bicameral appeal to Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and the Pentagon.
- They called for Ukraine's Starshield contract to be expanded.
- Unrestricted Starlink and Starshield service was requested after recent disruptions.
- Speed limits had impeded the use of strike drones and interceptors, according to Ukrainian officials.
- Lawmakers urged the Pentagon to preserve geographic coverage, including over Russian territory.
- The transition from commercial Starlink to the government Starshield program was to occur without service interruptions.
- The Pentagon was asked to assess defense-production powers that could prioritize federal orders.
Why it matters
Ukrainian forces rely on Starlink and Starshield for command and control, intelligence sharing, field communications and unmanned systems. Restrictions, reduced coverage or interrupted service can therefore weaken military capabilities, create operational risks and potentially give Russian forces an advantage. Expanding the contract and activating defense-production powers would increase the US government's ability to guarantee reliable capacity, service levels and coverage for Ukraine.
What happened
Members of Congress from both parties and both chambers urged the Pentagon to expand Ukraine's Starshield contract, restore unrestricted access to Starlink and Starshield, preserve geographic coverage and ensure uninterrupted service during the transfer from the commercial network to the government program. They also asked the Defense Department to assess whether powers under Title I of the US Defense Production Act could require companies to prioritize federal orders. Nearly two dozen House members separately asked Donald Trump to seek broader Starlink access for Ukrainian operations against Russian missile launch sites.
How Ukrainian sources describe it
Ukrainian reporting focused on the operational consequences of the speed limits, including problems for strike drones and interceptors, and on Ukrainian confirmation that restrictions were still active. Ukraine also tested Starlink performance on different fronts, including near the line of contact, and sought decisions from the US administration and SpaceX.
How international sources describe it
The US congressional response framed the issue as a military communications and defense-contracting matter. Lawmakers argued that decisions on availability, coverage and service quality should not rest solely with a private provider, while linking them to US and European investments in Ukraine's defense.
Where reporting differs
US officials said the speed restrictions had been lifted and Ukrainian military internet access fully restored. Ukrainian officials reported that restrictions remained active, including a limit above 160 kilometers per hour. Reporting attributed the decision to slow Starlink to Elon Musk, but Donald Trump's involvement in the discussions and his request to remove the restrictions remained unclear; he declined to say whether he had personally called Musk.
Background
Ukraine was transitioning from the commercial Starlink network to the government Starshield program. Ukrainian checks indicated that the restrictions applied within Ukraine but not in the European Union. US lawmakers also sought an explanation from SpaceX and initiated scrutiny of the Pentagon's handling of the communications problems.