Pentagon watchdog declines to probe Starlink slowdowns in Ukraine

The Pentagon's inspector general has declined a bipartisan request from nine senators to investigate recent disruptions to Starlink and Starshield satellite internet service in Ukraine, citing the Air Force as better positioned to address the matter. Ukrainian officials reported throttled connection speeds that impeded their ability to intercept Russian attack drones. The watchdog's decision, detailed in a Tuesday response, has drawn criticism from lawmakers including Sen. Jeanne Shaheen, who noted conflicting accounts from the Trump administration and SpaceX over who authorized the slowdowns. The congressional aide said the refusal raises concerns about Elon Musk's influence over defense communications, with questions remaining about potential U.S. government involvement or exploitation of loopholes. This is not the first such incident, as Musk ordered a Starlink blackout in Ukrainian regions in 2022 over escalation concerns. Following the recent slowdowns, Finnish firm Iceye announced a partnership with Nokia and Ukraine's defense ministry to explore sovereign satellite communications.