A bipartisan group of nine US senators has called for an immediate Pentagon investigation into disruptions affecting Starlink satellite communications and Starshield military systems in Ukraine, warning that the incidents may have endangered American personnel and undermined Ukraine’s ability to defend itself against Russian missile and drone attacks.
Senators Jeanne Shaheen and Thom Tillis led the initiative, joined by Dick Durbin, Susan Collins, Jack Reed, John Cornyn, Chris Coons, Lisa Murkowski and Richard Blumenthal.
In a letter to Department of Defense Inspector General Platte Moring III, the lawmakers demanded an investigation into whether US government officials or military contractors were responsible for the disruptions, whether the restrictions were deliberately authorised and whether American personnel received adequate warnings about potential security risks.
The senators expressed particular concern over reports that US diplomatic, military and security personnel in Ukraine had been unable to reach designated shelters during Russian air raids because of disruptions to intelligence-sharing and early-warning systems.
“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,” the senators wrote.
According to the letter, restrictions imposed on SpaceX’s Starlink terminals between October 12 and 14 disrupted communications supporting Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicles and military aircraft.
Ukrainian military testing on October 14 reportedly identified connectivity restrictions at speeds above approximately 63 miles per hour (101 kilometres per hour), while SpaceX reportedly acknowledged a service limitation at 100 miles per hour (161 kilometres per hour).
The lawmakers said the restrictions had reportedly weakened Ukraine’s ability to conduct defensive operations against Russian drone and missile attacks targeting civilian infrastructure.
They stressed that Ukraine requires unrestricted high-speed connectivity to operate Starlink and Starshield systems effectively, particularly for drone operations, military communications and battlefield coordination.
The senators also questioned whether the restrictions were imposed independently by SpaceX or resulted from decisions taken by the US Department of Defense.
They noted that some relevant services are provided under contracts administered by the US Space Force, raising concerns about the Pentagon’s responsibility for maintaining essential communications capabilities.
“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,” the lawmakers said.
The senators requested that the investigation determine whether US officials directed, authorised or had advance knowledge of changes to intelligence-sharing arrangements, early-warning capabilities or Starlink and Starshield services.
They also called for an assessment of whether disruptions to satellite communications and intelligence-sharing systems were connected, and whether they resulted from technical failures, contractor actions or deliberate policy decisions.
Another key question raised in the letter concerns whether the US Embassy in Kyiv, American personnel and Ukrainian authorities received sufficient advance warning about changes that could compromise their safety.
The lawmakers urged the Inspector General to preserve relevant communications, contractual records, technical instructions and correspondence involving the Pentagon, SpaceX and other US government 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 senators wrote.
They warned that the possibility of American personnel being endangered by preventable disruptions or decisions made by their own government required immediate scrutiny and accountability.
The senators requested written confirmation that an investigation had been launched, along with an initial briefing, no later than November 1, 2026.
The appeal follows reports of significant disruptions to Ukraine’s military satellite communications during intensified Russian attacks.
Ukraine relies heavily on Starlink and Starshield technology for drone operations, battlefield communications and military coordination.
The interruptions have prompted growing concerns over Ukraine’s dependence on US-controlled satellite infrastructure and the potential consequences of sudden changes to essential defence services.
