Ukrainian group raises concerns about SpaceX's Starlink expansion due to Elon Musk's ties to Russia.

• An organization representing Ukrainian Americans requested the FCC to reject SpaceX's authorization to launch 22,500 satellites into low-earth orbit until a thorough review is conducted.
• SpaceX's Starlink division could offer internet services to more global users through the use of satellites.
• Michael Sawkiw, Jr., president of the Ukrainian Congress Committee of America, stated on CNBC that it is crucial to ascertain if Starlink has been employed to aid a foreign adversary.

A Ukrainian-American nonprofit has raised concerns about SpaceX's plan to launch 22,488 satellites into low-earth orbit, citing CEO Elon Musk's "contacts with Russia and the alleged use of his Starlink system by Russian forces in Ukraine."

The Ukrainian Congress Committee of America (UCCA) filed a petition to deny and motion for stay with the Federal Communications Commission on Wednesday, citing negative environmental impacts of SpaceX launches in Texas and Musk's potential conflicts of interest due to his work with the incoming Trump administration.

Since the arrival of SpaceX's Starlink terminals in Ukraine following the Russian invasion in early 2022, the system has been linked to the country. In the following year, the Pentagon agreed to purchase Starlink satellite internet terminals for use in Ukraine's ongoing defense against Russia.

In September 2023, Ukrainian Americans criticized SpaceX CEO Elon Musk for stopping a planned attack on the Russian navy by Ukraine. Musk explained that he instructed his engineers not to activate SpaceX's Starlink satellite network over Crimea in 2022 to prevent the attack.

"Michael Sawkiw, Jr., UCCA President, stated on CNBC that there is a need to determine if Starlink has been used to aid a foreign adversary. If it has, this goes against the national security interest of Ukrainian-Americans and the country as a whole."

Besides the UCCA, other groups are also concerned about Musk's relationship with the Kremlin.

In October, the Wall Street Journal reported that Musk had secretly conversed with Russian President Putin prior to the 2024 presidential election. Members of Congress and NASA Administrator Bill Nelson have demanded an investigation into those contacts.

Newsweek and other outlets reported a month before the Journal story that Russia had installed Starlink terminals in its Iranian-designed Shahed drones, which were used in military operations in Ukraine. Starlink did not comment on the story, but in February, Musk stated on social media that news reports suggesting Starlink was selling terminals to Russia were "categorically false," and that "to the best of our knowledge, no Starlinks have been sold directly or indirectly to Russia."

Sawkiw stated that his group supports causes important to approximately 2 million Americans of Ukrainian descent residing in the U.S., many of whom arrived following the conflict's start in February 2022.

The Gen2 NGSO Satellite System of SpaceX would be enhanced by the Starlink satellites mentioned in the petition, allowing the company to provide internet services to more locations globally.

Neither Musk nor Hughes, senior vice president for global business and government affairs, responded to a request for comment.

Potential conflicts of interest

If Sawkiw's group succeeds on legal merits, the FCC may have to pause approvals for SpaceX, allowing time for an environmental review and resolving any conflicts of interest arising from Musk's new role with the forthcoming Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE).

The FCC and other Musk-led companies could potentially be influenced by the recommendations of the DOGE federal advisory committee, which will have influence over regulations, government spending, and personnel.

"The petition stated that Musk's conflicts range from financial to objectivity. His companies can benefit financially from government contracts and actions taken by the federal government, including the FCC. Comparing Musk leading DOGE to a fox guarding a henhouse is equivalent to allowing a fox to guard a henhouse."

The FCC must decide how Musk will adhere to the Federal Advisory Committee Act before granting any additional SpaceX requests, considering his involvement with DOGE.

In the FCC filings, UCCA's lead regulatory counsel Arthur Belendiuk stated that the SpaceX launch facility in Boca Chica, Texas is a vital habitat for many species, including those protected under the Endangered Species Act. He also pointed out that rocket launches in this area pose a significant risk of fire and debris being ejected onto adjacent environmentally protected lands, citing prior incidents.

In July, Musk wrote on X that he would abstain from eating omelettes for a week as a way to make amends for the destruction of nine nests of an endangered bird species caused by SpaceX launches.

In the petition, Belendiuk stated that Musk dismisses the concerns of local environmental groups with sarcasm and mockery, rather than addressing the harm caused by SpaceX launches.

In April, the UCCA submitted comments to the FCC regarding SpaceX's request for additional spectrum for its Starlink network in a separate proceeding.

At the time, Republican FCC Commissioner Brendan Carr stated that the group's comments were "procedurally improper and substantively meritless," and that they effectively wanted "the government to break the law by weaponizing it" against Musk.

In his second administration, President-elect Donald Trump has appointed Carr to head the FCC. Carr's office declined to comment on the matter.

Belendiuk stated to CNBC that his group's primary concern is not solely centered on Musk or SpaceX.

The group is actively discussing with chipmakers whose sanctioned products have been discovered in Russian weapons systems, and they have taken legal action to remove Radio Sputnik, which broadcasts Russian government propaganda, from the public airwaves in the U.S., Beledniuk stated.

Government spending cannot be reduced by DOGE without affecting the defense budget.