By SUZANNE DOWNING
Oct. 16, 2026 – Sen. Lisa Murkowski joined three Republicans and five Democrats on Thursday in demanding a Pentagon watchdog investigation into reported restrictions on satellite communications used by Ukraine’s military.
The Alaska Republican demanded that Defense Department Inspector General Platte Moring III determine whether government officials or contractors ordered, approved, or knew in advance about disruptions involving Starlink, Starshield, and intelligence-sharing capabilities. The senators asked for written confirmation of the investigation’s status and an initial briefing by Nov. 1.
The demand puts Murkowski front and center again against Trump, this time pressing the administration for answers about Ukraine’s access to American-supported battlefield technology. The other Republican signers were Thom Tillis of North Carolina, Susan Collins of Maine, and John Cornyn of Texas. Democrats, including Jeanne Shaheen of New Hampshire, also signed.
Their letter cited reports of restrictions affecting satellite terminals aboard Ukrainian drones, airplanes, and helicopters between Oct. 12 and 14. The reported limits concerned how fast the aircraft could travel while maintaining connectivity — approximately 63 mph in Ukrainian testing and 100 mph in an acknowledgment attributed to SpaceX.
The senators raised concerns that interrupted intelligence and warning services had endangered Americans during Russian air raids. They asked investigators to establish whether the problems were connected and whether policy decisions, technical failures, or contractor actions caused them. The letter itself does not establish who was responsible.
Starshield is SpaceX’s service for government and national security customers, using the Starlink satellite constellation as its backbone.
President Donald Trump said Friday that neither he nor Elon Musk was responsible for Ukraine’s loss of access. Reuters separately reported that the White House had approved a reduction in Starshield services.
Although some service had reportedly returned, the extent of restoration remained uncertain Friday.
Under President Joe Biden, Murkowski consistently backed expanding American assistance to Ukraine, voting for the $40.1 billion supplemental in 2022 and the 2024 national security package that included $60.8 billion for Ukraine. After visiting Kyiv and meeting with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in 2023, she supported Biden’s decision to provide additional weapons, including cluster munitions.
That commitment has continued, with Murkowski joining letters challenging his Russian diesel agreement and bow demanding an investigation into the satellite restrictions. Her position has remained firmly pro-Ukraine; what has changed is that she is now challenging an administration over perceived reductions in support, rather than backing one that was expanding it.
One thought on “Murkowski joins Democrats in demanding Pentagon probe over Ukraine satellite restrictions”
Lisa should find comfort that when she’s thrown out of office in 2028, she can become the national spokesperson for Sour Puss candies. Hell, she probably already owns the candy company.