Senator launches probe into Ukraine's loss of Starshield access

U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal has launched an investigation into Ukraine's loss of access to the Pentagon's Starshield satellite communication system, which he says has reduced Kyiv's ability to defend against Russian attacks. Blumenthal, the top Democrat on the Senate investigations subcommittee, sent a letter to Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth on October 23 seeking answers on whether the White House, Pentagon, or SpaceX initiated the service change. He has set a November 5 deadline for responses and requested a briefing from SpaceX by November 12. The senator warned the restriction endangered Ukrainian troops and civilians, raising concerns about who controls capabilities the U.S. government spent billions on. Since Republicans control the Senate, Democrats lack subpoena power, limiting Blumenthal to information requests and briefings.