US lawmakers from both parties demanded explanations for the throttling. Republican Senator Thom Tillis asked Musk to confirm the disruptions were an unintended glitch, warning that intentionally degrading Ukraine's defenses "might be construed as aiding and abetting a mass murderer." Democratic Senator Jeanne Shaheen said the Starshield restrictions "must stop immediately" and noted the Pentagon is legally required to notify Congress if it pauses or downgrades intelligence sharing with Ukraine, while Senator Richard Blumenthal demanded accountability from both Musk and Trump.
Before full in-motion service resumed, terminals had been capped at 100 mph (160 km/h) and briefly dropped connectivity at 37 to 44 mph (60 to 70 km/h) during a Russian barrage of 39 missiles and 128 drones. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Washington throttled his military's communications instead of providing requested Patriot air defense missiles after Kyiv abided by US requests not to strike Russian energy targets. White House officials previously denied involvement in the constraints and told Ukrainian counterparts they do not control SpaceX.