Pentagon Watchdog Declines Probe Into Starlink Slowdowns in Ukraine

The Pentagon's inspector general has declined a bipartisan request from nine lawmakers to investigate recent slowdowns of Starlink and Starshield satellite internet services in Ukraine, citing the Air Force as better positioned to address the matter. Ukrainian officials reported the throttling impeded their ability to intercept Russian attack drones. The decision has drawn criticism from senators, including Jeanne Shaheen, who noted conflicting accounts from the Trump administration and SpaceX over who authorized the disruptions. Lawmakers sought to determine whether U.S. officials directed the changes or if SpaceX chief Elon Musk exploited a loophole, raising concerns about his influence over defense communications. This is not the first such incident, as Musk ordered a Starlink blackout in Ukrainian regions in 2022. Following the latest slowdowns, Finnish firm Iceye announced a partnership with Nokia and Ukraine's defense ministry to explore sovereign satellite communications.