Military services have jurisdiction as pentagon inspector general declines to investigate starlink disruptions in ukraine

Inspector general declines probe

The Pentagon’s inspector general declined a request from lawmakers to investigate disruptions involving Starlink and Starshield in Ukraine. In a letter, the office said it was not best positioned to provide answers.

Mollie Halpern, spokesperson for the DOD Inspector General, said the office had reviewed the request and determined that the Department should handle the issues. She said the office could reconsider if new information emerges.

Contract falls under services

The inspector general’s office told lawmakers the reported disruptions concerned a contractual matter. It said the two military services responsible for the U.S. military’s SpaceX contract were better placed to address it.

Shaheen urges independent review

Senator Shaheen said the Trump Administration and SpaceX had given conflicting accounts of what caused the disruptions. She said the incidents weakened Ukraine’s defenses and put American personnel in Ukraine at unnecessary risk.

Shaheen called for an independent accounting and review to establish responsibility and help prevent future disruptions. She urged the inspector general to conduct a full investigation.