Report: Washington Asked Starlink to Switch Service On and Off in Ukraine and Middle East

Former US officials say Washington retained a measure of control over SpaceX’s Starlink satellite internet system by asking for services to be switched off and restored in Ukraine and the Middle East.

According to their account, US authorities made such requests on several occasions. The claims suggest Washington had influence over access to the privately operated network in both regions.

The former officials described that influence in terms of requests to suspend or activate service, rather than US ownership of the system. Starlink belongs to the American company SpaceX.

The account did not specify when the requests were made, which parts of the Middle East were affected or which US administrations were involved. It also provided no details about the circumstances surrounding individual service changes.