The Pentagon’s inspector general’s office has declined to investigate disruptions involving Starlink and its military counterpart, Starshield, in Ukraine after a bipartisan group of nine senators requested an inquiry. Sen. Jeanne Shaheen, D-N.H., was among the lawmakers who signed the request.
The senators wanted an independent examination of the satellite communications restrictions and the decisions behind them. The inspector general’s office told the lawmakers that the questions would be more appropriately handled by the U.S. Air Force and the U.S. Space Force, according to reporting by The Associated Press and CNN.
“It is concerning that the Inspector General has apparently decided not to investigate satellite communication disruptions that Ukraine relies on to protect its civilians.” — Sen. Jeanne Shaheen
Shaheen is the ranking Democrat on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and one of the request’s co-authors. The nine senators included four Republicans and five Democrats, according to the reporting. A congressional aide familiar with the matter told The Associated Press that the decision effectively leaves questions about the activities of Elon Musk and Starlink outside the inspector general’s investigation.
Questions about military connectivity
Ukrainian military officials said in mid-October that Starlink connectivity was being restricted when drones exceeded speeds of about 160 kilometers per hour, or 99 mph. The affected system was identified as Starshield, the military version of the satellite network.
The senators’ concerns center on how the disruptions were ordered and whether they affected Ukraine’s ability to exchange intelligence or receive warnings about air threats. The communications network has been used by Ukrainian forces during Russia’s invasion, while the restrictions have drawn attention to the role of a private company in a military conflict.
- Nine senators requested the Pentagon inspector general’s inquiry.
- The group included four Republicans and five Democrats.
- The inspector general’s office directed the questions to the Air Force and Space Force.
President Donald Trump said he had not ordered restrictions on Starshield service in Ukraine and did not know who might have done so. The Telegraph, citing four sources, reported that Musk had approached Trump about such a proposal. The Wall Street Journal separately reported that Musk ordered restrictions on Starshield for Ukraine.
Musk accused the Ukrainian military of violating Starlink’s terms of service by using the network for offensive drone strikes intended to kill people. He also said that Russian attacks on Starlink satellites could trigger what he described as “a domino effect of destruction,” creating a large amount of debris in space.
