Pentagon IG Declines to Probe Starlink Restrictions on Ukraine

On October 15, five Democratic and four Republican senators sent a letter to the Department of Defense Inspector General Platte Moring asking for an investigation into restrictions that had temporarily cut Ukraine’s military use of SpaceX’s Starlink and Starshield satellite networks. Ukraine reported that its drones lost satellite connectivity when flying faster than 161 km/h (100 mph). The speed limit was lifted after roughly ten days. The inspector general’s office declined the senators’ request, stating it would not pursue a probe into the restrictions. The letter also asked whether the limitations were authorized by SpaceX, the Department of Defense, or other U.S. government entities, and whether they complied with existing contracts. No further action has been announced, leaving the matter unresolved.