Guerre en Ukraine: les sénateurs américains demandent des éclaircissements sur le blocage de Starlink

Nine U.S. senators have demanded clarity over the temporary throttling of Starlink’s military capabilities in Ukraine. The bipartisan group, including four Republicans, wrote to the Pentagon’s inspector general requesting an investigation into whether U.S. officials approved or were informed of the disruption to Starshield, the military variant of Starlink. The senators emphasized that such disruptions could compromise Ukraine’s defense capabilities and endanger American diplomats, military personnel, and security staff stationed there. The throttling occurred overnight on Wednesday, according to Ukrainian media reports. SpaceX reportedly imposed a speed limit on Starlink terminals, which disrupted communications for devices moving faster than 160 kilometers per hour. This affected the operation of long-range Ukrainian drones, some of which can travel up to 300 kilometers per hour, leaving them unable to be remotely controlled during high-speed maneuvers. The incident has drawn criticism from European Union officials as well. EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas highlighted the critical role Starlink plays in Ukraine’s defense efforts, stating that the system is essential for the country and that Europe currently lacks the capacity to replace it. She called for the EU to rapidly develop its own defense capabilities, noting that these are needed both for Ukraine and for Europe itself. At the EU summit in Brussels, Commission president Ursula von der Leyen and Council president António Costa reaffirmed their commitment to providing further assistance to Ukraine and supporting its path toward EU membership. Von der Leyen criticized Russia for failing to uphold the energy weapons ceasefire supported by U.S. President Donald Trump and stressed that sanctions would remain in place until Russia ends the war. Austrian Chancellor Christian Stocker expressed caution regarding new financial commitments to Ukraine for the coming year, citing uncertainty around budget gaps caused by increased damage from Russian attacks. He urged transparency in explaining the origins of these financial challenges while reaffirming Austria’s support for EU aid to Ukraine. Elon Musk, CEO of SpaceX, denied responsibility for the throttling, stating that Starshield systems are controlled by the U.S. government and that any restrictions on data transfer or usage decisions are made by the U.S. military and ultimately by the U.S. president. His comments came after Ukrainian officials had criticized the slowdown, comparing it to a nuclear strike against their country due to its impact on military operations. The situation has also intensified tensions between Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Trump has accused Zelenskyy of obstructing peace talks and contributing to high diesel prices through attacks on Russian refineries. Democratic Senator Jeanne Shaheen criticized Trump for using Ukraine as a scapegoat for rising energy costs, attributing them instead to the Iran conflict. The throttling of Starlink in Ukraine underscores the complex interplay between commercial technology providers and national defense strategies. While Starlink has become a vital tool for Ukraine’s military communications, its dual-use nature raises questions about control and accountability. As investigations continue, the incident highlights the need for clear protocols governing the use of such technologies in times of conflict.