Pentagon watchdog declines inquiry into Ukraine’s satellite restrictions
Pentagon Inspector General Platte Moring declined a bipartisan request to investigate restrictions on Starlink and Starshield in Ukraine. He directed senators to the Air Force and Space Force, describing the disruptions as a contractual matter. Senator Jeanne Shaheen urged an independent inquiry into responsibility, while US and Ukrainian officials had reported that service was restored.
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Inspector general refers senators to the military services
Pentagon Inspector General Platte Moring declined a request to investigate disruptions to Ukraine’s use of Starlink, SpaceX’s satellite internet service, and its military counterpart Starshield. In a letter to senators, he described the reported problems as a contractual matter under the jurisdiction of the US Air Force and Space Force. Those services oversee the military’s Starlink contract with SpaceX. A bipartisan group of nine senators had requested an investigation.[1], [2]
The request passed through the Pentagon policy office
The inspector general initially recommended that lawmakers direct their questions to the Defense Department’s under secretary for policy. That office subsequently told the watchdog the disruptions concerned contracts handled by the two services. Inspector general spokeswoman Mollie Halpern said the congressional request had been carefully considered and the department was best placed to answer. She said new information could prompt reconsideration.[1]
Shaheen presses for an independent inquiry
Democratic Senator Jeanne Shaheen called the refusal concerning and urged an independent investigation. She said the Trump administration and SpaceX had provided conflicting explanations and argued that the restrictions weakened Ukraine’s defences and endangered American personnel there. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy had attributed the limits to a US government decision. US and Ukrainian officials subsequently said the services had returned to normal conditions.[1]
