Democrats have focused their attention on X/SpaceX/Tesla CEO Elon Musk following his moves to acquire X (formerly Twitter) and transform it into a platform for free speech.
According to a report from the Daily Mail on Thursday, Democrats have initiated an inquiry into allegations that Musk’s Starlink satellite network poses a significant threat to US national security.
Two Democratic members of the House Oversight Committee have accused Musk of potentially violating laws by providing internet services to conflict-stricken areas in Ukraine through his SpaceX venture using the Starlink system.
In a letter addressed to Starlink president Gwynne Shotwell, Representatives Jamie Raskin and Robert Garcia expressed their concerns, stating, “We are apprehensive about the adequacy of your existing safeguards and policies.”
NEW: RMs @RepRaskin and @RepRobertGarcia sent a letter to SpaceX, launching an investigation into Russia's alleged illegal use of Starlink internet satellites in its ongoing and brutal invasion of Ukraine.https://t.co/5fiO04s3oe
— Oversight Committee Democrats (@OversightDems) March 7, 2024
According to The Washington Post, Democrats have raised concerns that Elon Musk may have provided Russia with sensitive information by allegedly supplying them with satellite-enabled terminals.
Members of the House Oversight Committee referred to reports from Ukrainian intelligence officials who claimed that “Russian troops are using Starlink terminals to coordinate military operations in eastern Ukraine.”
Representatives Raskin and Garcia commented on the matter, stating, “The reported use of Starlink by Russia poses a significant threat to Ukraine’s security, the lives of Ukrainians, and the national security of the United States.”
In February, Ukrainian Lieutenant General Kyrylo Budanov disclosed to the Wall Street Journal that Russian forces had been utilizing the Starlink system for communication purposes “for a considerable period.”
Budanov asserted that Russia had obtained access to the system by acquiring terminals from private Russian companies through intermediaries, allowing the transactions to remain unnoticed.
Administrators of Starlink stated that they do not engage in business “with or within Russia.”
Elon Musk clarified, saying, “Several false news reports claim that SpaceX is selling Starlink terminals to Russia. This is absolutely untrue.”
A number of false news reports claim that SpaceX is selling Starlink terminals to Russia.
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) February 11, 2024
This is categorically false.
To the best of our knowledge, no Starlinks have been sold directly or indirectly to Russia.
Russia has denied any utilization of Starlink services. Dmitry Peskov, a spokesman for the Kremlin, stated, “[Starlink] is not a certified system [and] cannot be officially supplied [and]…it cannot be used officially in any way.”
It’s worth noting that Ukraine heavily depends on Starlink for internet access and communication support. The Pentagon is reported to have provided funding for Starlink services for the Ukrainian population.
