Adam Schiff Demands Hegseth Testimony Over Starlink Disruptions in Ukraine
Senator Adam Schiff is calling for Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth to testify after Starlink service slowdowns disrupted Ukrainian military operations and sparked a dispute over authorization.
U.S. Senator Adam Schiff has demanded that Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth testify before the Senate following Starlink satellite service slowdowns that disrupted Ukrainian military operations. The disruptions hindered Ukraine's ability to intercept Russian attacks, leading to conflicting accounts regarding who authorized the restrictions.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy alleged the U.S. government ordered the speed limitations. Conversely, SpaceX CEO Elon Musk claimed the company enforced its terms of service after the Ukrainian military used the commercial network for offensive drone strikes. Ukrainian officials disputed Musk's claims, arguing that Starlink's technical limitations and lack of coverage over Russian territory make it unsuitable for such strikes, noting that satellite-dependent missions instead utilize Starshield, a military-focused SpaceX service.
President Donald Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio denied ordering any restrictions. While Trump claimed to have restored the service, Ukraine only confirmed that Starlink and Starshield returned to high speeds on Saturday. Schiff characterized the incident as a national security threat, arguing that a private citizen should not control U.S. national security interests.
Amid strained relations with the U.S. over sanctions and intelligence sharing, the Ukrainian government is now exploring alternative satellite partnerships with Nokia and ICEYE.
