Democratic lawmakers are investigating SpaceX over reports that Russia is using the company’s Starlink satellite internet service in occupied areas of Ukraine, raising concerns about potential violations of US sanctions and export controls.

In a letter sent Wednesday to SpaceX President Gwynne Shotwell, Reps. Jamie Raskin of Maryland and Robert Garcia of California cited intelligence from Ukraine indicating Russian forces have illegally deployed and activated Starlink terminals in Russian-occupied regions of eastern and southern Ukraine.

“It is alarming that Russia may be obtaining and using your technology to coordinate attacks against Ukrainian troops in illegally occupied regions in Eastern and Southern Ukraine, potentially in violation of US sanctions and export controls,” the lawmakers wrote.

While SpaceX CEO Elon Musk has denied selling Starlink equipment directly or indirectly to Russia, Raskin and Garcia questioned the effectiveness of the company’s safeguards to prevent illicit acquisition and use by sanctioned entities.

“According to Ukraine, the misuse of Starlink terminals is ‘systemic,’ raising additional questions about the efficacy of your company’s safeguards and compliance with US sanctions and export controls,” they stated.

Raskin, the ranking Democrat on the House Oversight Committee, and Garcia, the top Democrat on the national security subcommittee, requested detailed information from SpaceX by 20th March on its processes for vetting users, investigating violations and coordinating with U.S. agencies to uphold sanctions.

SpaceX has stated it blocks Starlink access when terminals are confirmed to be used by sanctioned parties:

SpaceX does not do business of any kind with the Russian Government or its military.

Starlink is not active in Russia, meaning service will not work in that country. SpaceX has never sold or marketed Starlink in Russia, nor has it shipped equipment to locations in Russia. If…

— Starlink (@Starlink) February 8, 2024

However, the lawmakers expressed concern “you may not have appropriate guardrails and policies in place” given Ukraine’s claims of systematic misuse by Russia.

The lawmakers have requested answers from SpaceX to the following seven questions:

1. How many reports or complaints has SpaceX received regarding possible illegal acquisition, trade, or use of Starlink terminals, including in Russian-occupied territories in Ukraine? How many reports or complaints has SpaceX examined?
2. How does SpaceX assess, review, or evaluate reports or complaints related to the possible illegal acquisition, trade, or use of Starlink terminals, including in Russian-occupied territories in Ukraine?
3. What guidance and/or policies does SpaceX have to prevent illegal acquisition, trade, or use of Starlink terminals?
4. What guidance and/or policies does SpaceX follow if it determines an actor has illegally acquired, traded, or used Starlink terminals?
5. What actions has SpaceX taken to ensure Starlink users are compliant with US sanctions and export control laws—including US sanctions and export controls related to Russia?
6. What actions has SpaceX taken or considered taking to eliminate existing or potential security vulnerabilities that actors, such as Russia, may exploit to illicitly acquire, trade or use Starlink terminals, including in Russian-occupied regions in Ukraine?
7. How does SpaceX and its subdivisions work with the Departments of Justice, Commerce, and/or the Treasury to prevent illicit acquisition, trade, or use of satellite terminals, including in Russian-occupied territories in Ukraine?

The probe highlights escalating scrutiny over the potential misuse of US commercial satellite technology amid Russia’s ongoing invasion of Ukraine. It remains unclear how Moscow may have acquired the Starlink units, which have provided crucial internet access across Ukraine as telecommunications infrastructure was disrupted by bombing.

Both SpaceX and US officials have previously warned the public about fraudulent claims of providing Starlink service in Russia, where the network is not active. In their letter, Raskin and Garcia cited a need to protect “Ukrainian lives, and US national security” from Russia’s alleged exploitation of Starlink.

(Photo by ANIRUDH on Unsplash)

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