“Trump and Musk must be held accountable”: US senator warns Starlink network failing over Ukraine could cripple its shield against Russian missiles and drones

Senator Richard Blumenthal, co-author of the Russia sanctions law named after Senator Lindsey Graham, has warned that President Donald Trump and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk must be held accountable for recent failures of the Starlink network in Ukraine. These failures could potentially cripple Ukraine's defense against Russian missiles and drones.

On October 14, Ukraine's military reported that a Starlink disruption halted their operations, coinciding with the country's air defense failing to receive intelligence on a Russian ballistic strike that killed three people in Kyiv. These incidents followed the US granting limited access to Russian diesel fuel, which impacted global markets and economy, while increasing pressure on Ukraine to cease targeting Russian oil refineries that raise war costs.

Reports of Starlink failures in Ukraine are deeply alarming, as the network is crucial for Ukraine's defense. When the network falters, the war feels the impact. Blumenthal's concern stems from the heavy reliance Ukraine has on the Starlink system. SpaceX reportedly has throttled the StarShield military package used by Ukrainian drones, causing connection drops when drones move at high speeds and breaking several missions.

Since Ukraine neither owns nor controls Starlink, the recent limits have reignited fears about the potential for outside interference with the battlefield lifeline. Blumenthal's demand comes amid a growing revolt in Congress. A bipartisan group of 12 senators recently urged Trump to rescind his deal allowing Russian diesel back into the market, arguing it is a gift to Moscow that should be withdrawn.

Instead, they suggested using the Graham-Leach-Bliley Act to squeeze Russia and its enablers, particularly China. Blumenthal emphasized that the lesson from Trump's reckless actions is the need to reduce dependence on foreign fossil fuel imports and embrace alternative energy sources.