Nine bipartisan US senators have demanded an immediate investigation by the Pentagon Inspector General into disruptions to satellite communications and intelligence-sharing services in Ukraine, warning that American diplomatic and military personnel may have been placed in danger during Russian air attacks. The demand, formalised in a letter to Defence Department Inspector General Platte Moring III, was sent on 16 October 2026 and asks investigators to determine whether US officials authorised, directed, or were aware in advance of restrictions affecting Starlink and Starshield services used by Ukrainian forces.

Who Signed the Letter

The letter was led by Democratic Senator Jeanne Shaheen, ranking member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, and Republican Senator Thom Tillis, underscoring the bipartisan alarm over the reported outages. It was also signed by Senators Dick Durbin, Susan Collins, Jack Reed, John Cornyn, Chris Coons, Lisa Murkowski, and Richard Blumenthal.

What the Disruptions Involved

According to the letter, reported disruptions between 12 and 14 October affected satellite communications supporting Ukrainian drones and aircraft. Ukrainian military testing on 14 October reportedly identified restrictions affecting Starlink terminals operating at speeds exceeding approximately 63 miles per hour. SpaceX reportedly acknowledged a service restriction at 100 miles per hour — a threshold that could impair drones and other fast-moving military platforms that depend on satellite connectivity.

The senators noted that Ukraine had previously operated under a service arrangement providing access to unlimited speeds, which they argued was essential for combat effectiveness. 'To use Starshield and Starlink as intended, Ukraine needs access to unlimited speeds, which was its service arrangement prior to this reported restriction,' the lawmakers wrote.

American Personnel at Risk

The senators expressed particular concern about reports that US diplomatic, military, and security personnel were unable to reach designated bunkers during Russian air raids due to difficulties with intelligence-sharing and early-warning systems. 'We are particularly alarmed by incidents in which US diplomatic, military, and security personnel were unable to reach designated bunkers during Russian air raids,' the letter stated. The lawmakers raised questions about whether the US Embassy in Kyiv and Ukrainian authorities received adequate advance warning of any changes to satellite services that could compromise their safety.

Scope of the Requested Investigation

The senators asked the inspector general to determine whether the restrictions originated with government officials, SpaceX, technical failures, or deliberate policy decisions. They also sought clarity on whether the satellite communications problems were connected to separate disruptions involving intelligence-sharing and threat-warning capabilities. Some of the relevant services were reportedly provided through contractual arrangements administered by the US Space Force. The lawmakers called for scrutiny of the Pentagon's contractual oversight responsibilities and whether SpaceX complied with applicable government agreements. Investigators were also asked to preserve all relevant communications, technical directives, contractual records, and correspondence involving the Defence Department, SpaceX, and other parties.

Timeline and Next Steps

The senators requested written confirmation of the investigation's status and an initial briefing by 1 November. The letter was explicit that the precise causes of the disruptions remained unclear and should not be assumed ahead of a formal inquiry. 'The United States government has a fundamental obligation to protect American personnel serving overseas,' the lawmakers wrote. This development comes amid broader scrutiny of the role private satellite operators play in active conflict zones — a question that has gained urgency as Starlink's involvement in the Ukraine war has grown since 2022.