Shaheen, Tillis Lead Bipartisan Senators in Calling for Department of Defense Inspector General Investigation into Starlink Disruptions in Ukraine

WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senators Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Thom Tillis (R-NC), Dick Durbin (D-IL), Susan Collins (R-ME), Jack Reed (D-RI), John Cornyn (R-TX), Chris Coons (D-DE), Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) and Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) sent a letter to the Department of Defense’s Inspector General, Platte Moring III, calling for an investigation into the disruption of the U.S.-maintained Starshield systems for Ukrainian partners.

In the letter, the Senators highlight how the disruptions to these critical systems put U.S. diplomatic, military and security personnel in danger and diminished Ukraine’s ability to defend itself. They urge the Inspector General to immediately launch an investigation and determine whether any U.S. officials approved of or had advance knowledge of the disruptions in service. The Senators also request that the Inspector General investigate whether U.S. personnel were unable to reach shelter during Russian attacks that occurred during these disruptions and if immediate corrective measures are being implemented to ensure the safety of American personnel.

“We are particularly alarmed by incidents in which U.S. diplomatic, military, and security personnel were unable to reach designated bunkers during Russian air raids, amid reported disruptions to intelligence-sharing and early-warning capabilities. We urgently request an Inspector General investigation into these incidents, including whether actions or decisions by the Department of Defense or its contractors contributed to these dangerous circumstances,” wrote the Senators.

“To use Starshield and Starlink as intended, Ukraine needs access to unlimited speeds, which was its service arrangement prior to this reported restriction. We understand that at least some relevant services are provided through contractual arrangements administered by the U.S. Space Force. Any restrictions on these capabilities, particularly without advance notification, raise serious questions about the Department of Defense’s contractual oversight and its responsibility to ensure continuity of essential services,” continued the Senators.

“The United States government has a fundamental obligation to protect American personnel serving overseas. Disruptions to critical intelligence-sharing, threat-warning, or communications capabilities in an active war zone can have life-threatening consequences. The possibility that American personnel were endangered by preventable disruptions, inadequate coordination, or decisions made by their own government demands immediate scrutiny and accountability,” concluded the Senators.

Full text of the letter is available HERE and provided below.

Dear Mr. Moring:

We write with grave concern regarding reported disruptions to critical U.S.-supported communications and intelligence-sharing capabilities in Ukraine that have endangered American personnel and potentially compromised Ukraine’s ability to defend against Russian missile and drone attacks. We are particularly alarmed by incidents in which U.S. diplomatic, military, and security personnel were unable to reach designated bunkers during Russian air raids, amid reported disruptions to intelligence-sharing and early-warning capabilities. We urgently request an Inspector General investigation into these incidents, including whether actions or decisions by the Department of Defense or its contractors contributed to these dangerous circumstances.

According to reports, speed restrictions imposed on SpaceX’s Starlink terminals between October 12 and 14, 2026, disrupted critical communications capabilities supporting Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicles and fixed-wing and rotary-wing aircraft. Ukrainian military testing on October 14 reportedly identified restrictions at speeds exceeding approximately 63 miles per hour, while SpaceX reportedly acknowledged a service restriction at 100 miles per hour. These restrictions reportedly degraded Ukraine’s ability to conduct defensive operations against Russian drone and missile attacks on civilian infrastructure.

Separately, we are deeply concerned by reports of disruptions or “glitches” affecting intelligence-sharing and threat-warning capabilities relied upon by personnel operating in Ukraine. We understand that American personnel experienced serious difficulties reaching safety during Russian air raids. The precise cause of these incidents, including whether they resulted from technical failures, interruptions in intelligence sharing, changes in U.S. government policy, or other factors, remains unclear. Given the potentially deadly consequences, these incidents require immediate investigation.

Starlink and Starshield capabilities are important components of Ukraine’s military communications infrastructure, supporting command and control, unmanned systems, and operational coordination. To use Starshield and Starlink as intended, Ukraine needs access to unlimited speeds, which was its service arrangement prior to this reported restriction. We understand that at least some relevant services are provided through contractual arrangements administered by the U.S. Space Force. Any restrictions on these capabilities, particularly without advance notification, raise serious questions about the Department of Defense’s contractual oversight and its responsibility to ensure continuity of essential services.

We therefore request that your office immediately investigate:

• Whether disruptions to intelligence sharing, threat warnings, or other U.S.-supported capabilities contributed to incidents in which American diplomatic, military, or security personnel were unable to reach shelter during Russian attacks;

• Whether any Department of Defense or other U.S. government officials directed, authorized, approved, or had advance knowledge of changes to intelligence-sharing arrangements, warning capabilities, or Starlink and Starshield services affecting Ukraine;

• Whether the reported intelligence-sharing disruptions and Starlink restrictions were connected, and whether either resulted from deliberate policy decisions, technical failures, contractor actions, or other causes;

• Whether affected U.S. personnel, the U.S. Embassy in Kyiv, and Ukrainian authorities received adequate advance notification of any changes that could compromise their safety or defensive operations;

• Whether SpaceX independently imposed restrictions on Starlink or Starshield services, whether those restrictions complied with applicable U.S. government contracts, and what steps the Department of Defense took in response; and

• What immediate corrective measures are being implemented to ensure that American personnel receive reliable threat warnings and that essential communications and intelligence-sharing capabilities are maintained.

We also request that you ensure relevant agencies and parties preserve relevant communications, contractual records, technical directives, and correspondence concerning these incidents, including communications between the Department of Defense, SpaceX, and other relevant agencies.

The United States government has a fundamental obligation to protect American personnel serving overseas. Disruptions to critical intelligence-sharing, threat-warning, or communications capabilities in an active war zone can have life-threatening consequences. The possibility that American personnel were endangered by preventable disruptions, inadequate coordination, or decisions made by their own government demands immediate scrutiny and accountability.

We urge your office to initiate an immediate investigation and provide written confirmation of its status, together with an initial briefing, no later than November 1, 2026.

Thank you for your prompt attention to this urgent matter.

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