Starlink disruption draws probe call over Ukraine combat risk

Two senior Republican lawmakers called Sunday for a congressional investigation into Starlink disruptions affecting Ukrainian forces, saying interruptions to satellite communications could endanger lives and weaken defense against Russian attacks.

Congressman Mike Turner of Ohio and Senator Kevin Cramer of North Dakota said investigators should determine who was responsible for restrictions involving Starlink and military-related capabilities including Starshield. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said satellite services had not been fully restored and suggested the restrictions followed instructions from the American government.

Starshield role under scrutiny

Turner, a member of the House Armed Services Committee and former chairman of the House Intelligence Committee, said the administration's explanation was not sufficient. "Absolutely not," Turner said when asked whether Secretary of State Marco Rubio's explanation answered the issue. "There needs to be a congressional investigation," he said.

Rubio said no one at the White House ordered Starlink speeds reduced. "We had nothing to do with that. I don't, not the United States, nobody ordered that Starlink speed to be slowed down. It sort of happened," Rubio said. He said his understanding was that service had been restored.

Cramer, who recently visited Ukraine and met Zelensky, said the interruption may have been technical or deliberate. "So far, nobody's taking credit for making that call or the blame for it," he said. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said President Trump and Rubio had said no one in the Trump administration ordered the restrictions.

Starlink, operated by SpaceX, has supported Ukrainian communications during Russia's full-scale invasion, which began in February 2022, especially where conventional infrastructure has been damaged. On Oct. 19, the next test is whether lawmakers move from public demands to a formal congressional or inspector general inquiry.