US Congressmen Urge Pentagon to Extend Starshield Contract for Ukraine

US congressmen are urging the Pentagon to expand the Starshield contract for Ukraine. This is stated in a joint statement.

The congressmen are appealing to US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth and the Pentagon. According to their request, the Starshield program contract should be extended, and Ukraine should be restored access to Starlink and Starshield satellite communications.

Members of both parties in Congress and the House are demanding that access to Starshield be restored for Ukraine without speed restrictions.

"Ukrainian forces use these services for control and command, sharing intelligence, communications on the battlefield, and operating drones. Any degradation in the quality of these services - whether it is a reduction in speed, a limitation of coverage area, or disruption of access - undermines Ukraine's combat capability and gives Russian forces an operational advantage. This prolongs the conflict and puts even more civilians at risk," the congressmen said in their appeal.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Friday evening that speed restrictions for Starlink satellite communication terminals on Ukrainian territory remain in force.

"Speed restrictions for Starlink and Starshield remain in force, the speed has not been restored," Zelensky said.