The Pentagon rejects a probe into Starshield disruptions in Ukraine as senators seek answers about service restrictions affecting Ukrainian partners.
© AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson
NEW YORK, October 29. /TASS/. The Pentagon inspector general has refused a The Pentagon has declined to investigate disruptions affecting Starshield and Starlink services in Ukraine, following a request from nine US senators. The decision has raised questions about accountability for military satellite communications supporting Ukrainian forces, according to The Associated Press (AP), as reported by The Times of Russia.
Pentagon Investigation Into Starshield Disruptions in Ukraine Rejected
The Pentagon Inspector General has refused to launch an investigation into recent service interruptions involving Starlink and Starshield in Ukraine, AP reported.
In a response obtained by the news agency, the watchdog informed the nine senators that their concerns would be more appropriately addressed by the US Air Force. The lawmakers interpreted the response as a refusal to investigate SpaceX founder Elon Musk, according to the report.
The decision comes amid growing scrutiny of Starshield service disruptions in Ukraine and questions about whether American officials had prior knowledge of the restrictions.
Senators Seek Answers From the Pentagon Inspector General
Earlier, Senator Jeanne Shaheen, a Democrat representing New Hampshire, announced that she and eight other senators had written to the Department of Defense Inspector General.
The bipartisan group requested an inquiry into the disruption of US-maintained Starshield systems used by Ukrainian partners. The senators said the investigation should establish whether any US officials had authorised the interruptions or knew about them beforehand.
Their request focused on determining the extent of official involvement in the service disruptions and whether the restrictions had been approved within the US government.
However, the Pentagon watchdog directed the lawmakers towards the Air Force rather than opening an investigation, according to AP.
Elon Musk and Ukraine Starlink Restrictions
The controversy intensified in mid-October when Kiev announced that SpaceX had imposed restrictions on Starlink terminals used by Ukrainian troops travelling at speeds exceeding 160 km/h.
According to the Ukrainian side, these limitations disrupted several military operations.
Musk responded by saying that the Starlink satellite system was not intended for offensive military operations and was used exclusively for defensive and civilian purposes.
He also explained that Starshield, the military satellite communications system, is owned and controlled by the US government. According to Musk, decisions regarding its use and speed restrictions are made through the military and ultimately rest with the president.
Meanwhile, The Wall Street Journal reported that Musk had ordered restrictions on Ukraine’s access to Starshield.
These developments brought renewed attention to US military satellite communications and the role of government oversight in determining how such systems are used by international partners.
Donald Trump Says Ukraine’s Starshield Access Has Been Restored
On the evening of October 22, US President Donald Trump announced that Ukraine’s access to the Starshield military satellite communications system had been restored.
The announcement followed the earlier reports of restrictions affecting Ukrainian forces and the subsequent dispute over responsibility for the service interruptions.
The restoration addressed the immediate access issue, while the senators’ request for an investigation had sought clarification about whether US officials had authorised or anticipated the disruptions.
What the Pentagon’s Decision Means for the Starshield Dispute
The Pentagon Inspector General’s response leaves the concerns raised by the nine senators directed towards the Air Force, rather than a separate watchdog investigation.
The dispute involves several key issues, including Starshield service disruptions in Ukraine, the reported restrictions on Ukrainian military access, and the division of responsibility between SpaceX and the US government.
With the service reportedly restored on October 22, attention remains on the questions raised by lawmakers about advance knowledge and official approval of the restrictions.
As reported by The Times of Russia, the Pentagon watchdog’s refusal to open an inquiry marks a significant development in the ongoing debate over accountability for US-supported satellite communications in Ukraine.
