Pentagon watchdog refuses to investigate Starlink restrictions for Ukraine

The Pentagon's oversight body, the Office of the Inspector General, has rejected a bipartisan request from US senators to investigate recent disruptions to the Starlink and Starshield services for Ukraine. Source: Associated Press, citing sources, senators and the Pentagon's response

The AP notes that this raises concerns among American lawmakers that the military and even the independent inspector general are unwilling to challenge the influence that SpaceX head Elon Musk has over the defence communications system.

A bipartisan group of senators asked the Pentagon's watchdog to conduct an investigation after Ukrainian officials reported in October that their connection speeds to the Starlink service and its military version Starshield, both created by Musk, had been restricted.

AP's report emphasises that these services are crucial for ensuring communications in Ukraine during the war, and Ukrainian officials stated that these restrictions hindered the interception of Russian jet attack drones.

In a response obtained by AP, the Pentagon watchdog informed the group of nine lawmakers, four Republicans and five Democrats, that the US Air Force would be better placed to answer their request regarding these concerns.

AP quotes a congressional aide familiar with the situation, speaking on condition of anonymity, who said this is viewed as a refusal by the inspector general to investigate Musk and Starlink, despite being fully capable to do so.

Quote from Senator Jeanne Shaheen, the top Democrat on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee: 'It is concerning that the Inspector General has apparently decided not to investigate satellite communication disruptions that Ukraine relies on to protect its civilians.'

Details: Shaheen added that 'the Trump administration and SpaceX have provided conflicting accounts of what led to those disruptions' and that 'there must be an independent accounting and review to determine responsibility and prevent this from happening in the future'.

AP adds that the lack of answers raises questions about the extent of influence that Musk, an ally of President Donald Trump, has over this critical communications system.

The congressional aide told the publication that concerns on Capitol Hill regarding Musk's control over Starlink have existed for years and were one of the reasons for creating Starshield, the military version of the system.