By Salma El-Sakka
The Pentagon's inspector general has declined to investigate reported disruptions to Starlink and Starshield satellite services in Ukraine, telling lawmakers the matter is contractual and should be directed to the U.S. Air Force and U.S. Space Force.
Contractual matter cited
In a letter to a bipartisan group of nine senators, Inspector General Platte Moring wrote that his office is not best suited to deliver answers on the service interruptions. The letter, seen by ABC News, states the disruptions are a contractual matter under the jurisdiction of the two military services that manage the Pentagon's contract with SpaceX.
Disruptions drew criticism
The service interruptions occurred as Ukraine faced intensified Russian attacks. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said the limits on the satellite networks were a U.S. government decision. U.S. and Ukrainian officials have since said services have been restored to normal conditions.
Lawmakers seek accountability
Sen. Jeanne Shaheen, a Democrat who helped lead the congressional request, called the inspector general's decision "concerning." She said the Trump administration and SpaceX have provided conflicting accounts of the disruptions, which weakened Ukraine's defenses and put American personnel at risk. Shaheen urged a full independent investigation to determine responsibility and prevent future occurrences.
Referral chain
The inspector general initially recommended the senators direct their questions to the Defense Department's under secretary for policy. That office subsequently informed the inspector general that the reported disruptions were a contractual matter better addressed by the Air Force and Space Force.
