The Pentagon’s inspector general told nine senators the U.S. Air Force was better placed to answer their questions about reported satellite-service restrictions in Ukraine, the Associated Press reported.
The Department of Defense (DoD) Office of Inspector General’s response was dated Oct. 27, AP reported, saying it had obtained a copy. The senators’ Oct. 15 request asked whether U.S. officials had directed or approved changes to Starlink or Starshield service, or knew about them in advance. They also asked whether SpaceX acted independently and whether service changes were connected to reported disruptions in intelligence sharing and warning capabilities.
The senators’ letter cited reports of restrictions from Oct. 12 to 14. It said Ukrainian military testing on Oct. 14 reportedly found a limit above about 63 mph, while SpaceX reportedly acknowledged a 100 mph restriction. The lawmakers said the cause remained unclear and warned that the reported limits threatened Ukraine’s defense against Russian attacks and raised safety concerns for U.S. diplomatic, military and security personnel.
They also said they understood that at least some relevant services were provided under contracts administered by the U.S. Space Force. The letter raised questions about Defense Department oversight and continuity of service.
Ukraine’s Ministry of Defence said Oct. 24 that its monitoring found Starlink and Starshield operating at restored speeds, with connections holding above 400 km/h. The ministry’s update did not identify who ordered the earlier restrictions.
A congressional aide who spoke anonymously to AP characterized the response as a refusal to investigate SpaceX CEO Elon Musk and Starlink. Sen. Jeanne Shaheen told AP, “It is concerning that the Inspector General has apparently decided not to investigate.” Mollie Halpern, a spokeswoman for the DoD inspector general’s office, told AP, “Should new information come to light, we may reconsider.”
The senators asked for written confirmation of the investigation’s status and an initial briefing by Sunday, Nov. 1.
