US lawmakers quiz Musk's Starlink over Russia claims

A Ukrainian soldier uses Starlink equipment near the front line of the war in February 2024

House Democrats are demanding answers from Elon Musk's SpaceX amid claims that its technology is being used by Russian forces in Ukraine.

Kyiv released intercepted communications last month indicating Russia had obtained Starlink terminals.

Mr Musk recently denied that any terminals - which are key to Ukraine's army operations - were sold to Russia.

But in a letter seen by the BBC, two senior Democrats said they were "concerned" by the recent allegations.

In the letter sent to SpaceX President Gwynne Shotwell on Wednesday, Reps Robert Garcia and Jamie Raskin wrote that it was "alarming" that Russian troops might have obtained Starlink technology in violation of US sanctions.

"We are concerned that you may not have appropriate guardrails and policies in place to ensure your technology is neither acquired directly or indirectly, nor used illegally by Russia," the men, who serve on the US House Committee on Oversight and Accountability, wrote.

The oversight committee has the power to instigate investigations and hold public hearings.

Starlink's satellite system is one of the few technical solutions for providing internet access in places affected by natural disasters, very remote locations or - as in the case of Ukraine - war zones.

Use of the system requires a Starlink terminal, and SpaceX began shipping the terminals to Ukraine within hours of the start of the Russian invasion in February 2022.

There are now tens of thousands of terminals in the country, including up to 500 purchased by the US Department of Defence in June 2023.

Last month, Ukrainian military intelligence officials alleged that Russian forces were also using the Starlink system. The country's Main Directorate of Intelligence said it intercepted conversations between Russian forces talking about units using the terminals in occupied territory in Donetsk.

"Yes, there have been recorded cases of use of these devices by the Russian occupiers. This is starting to take on a systemic nature," intelligence spokesman Andriy Yusov told local media.

Providing Starlink equipment directly to Russia is illegal under US sanctions, but Ukraine suspects Russia is obtaining the terminals from third countries, or that they have been captured on the battlefield.

When reports began to surface in February, Mr Musk posted on X: "To the best of our knowledge, no Starlinks have been sold directly or indirectly to Russia."

A spokesman for the Kremlin also denied that Russian troops are using Starlink.

The Democratic lawmakers sent SpaceX a list of questions and asked the company to provide information about any reports or complaints it has received about possible illegal use of its technology.

The congressman also asked about policies and actions that SpaceX has taken to comply with US sanctions against Russia.

Use of Starlink by Russia's invasion force "poses a serious threat to Ukraine's security, Ukrainian lives, and US national security," the lawmakers wrote.

The BBC has contacted SpaceX for comment.

Last year, SpaceX alleged that Ukrainian forces were using Starlink to guide military drones - which have been a key element in the war - in violation of the company's terms of service.

"We know the military is using them for comms, and that's ok," Ms Shotwell said at the time. "But our intent was never to have them use it for offensive purposes."