US Senator Probes Ukraine's Loss of Starshield Satellite Service

Democratic US Senator Richard Blumenthal has launched an inquiry into Ukraine's loss of access to the Pentagon's Starshield satellite service on October 13, which degraded Kyiv's ability to defend against Russian attacks. Blumenthal wrote to Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth questioning who holds technical and legal authority to alter the service, and whether the Pentagon has alternatives if SpaceX-provided capabilities fail. He is seeking information on whether the change was directed by the White House, the Defense Department, or SpaceX. The Pentagon is Starshield's largest customer, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said the restriction weakened air defenses. The episode occurred amid Trump administration pressure on Kyiv to halt attacks on Russian energy infrastructure. Blumenthal set response deadlines of November 5 and 12, and could lead the investigations panel if Democrats win the Senate.