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Tillis calls on Pentagon IG to investigate Ukraine's Starshield loss

Sen. Thom Tillis says senators will ask the Defense Department's inspector general to look into Ukraine's loss of Starshield access, which hampered its defense against Russian drones; a very formal 'who touched it'.

On air: Hank Ledger on BBN This Morning
Published 8:41 AM ET, Thursday, October 15, 2026

At a glance

First reported by The Hill: “Tillis calls on Pentagon IG to investigate Ukraine’s Starshield loss”.
Covered on BBN on Thursday, October 15, 2026, at 8:41 AM ET on BBN This Morning, by Hank Ledger.
Topics: Ukraine Starshield, Pentagon.
BBN covered this story before: Musk says Trump 'ultimately' responsible for Starshield curbs (October 14).

The real story

The reporting behind this segment. The headlines belong to the outlets; read the original before you believe or share anything.

The HillTillis calls on Pentagon IG to investigate Ukraine’s Starshield loss

What BBN said about it

Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorSenator Thom Tillis says he and his colleagues will ask the Pentagon's inspector general to investigate Ukraine's sudden loss of access to Starshield, the military version of Starlink.
Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorHe called it a snafu, and it hampered Ukraine's ability to intercept Russian drones.
Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorJoining us is Ferdinand Achterberg, who installs satellite dishes in Tulsa, Oklahoma.
Ferdinand AchterbergMorning, Hank. I'm on a roof, so if I vanish, that's just the wind and not a government matter.
Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorSo when a signal drops without warning, what's the first thing you check?
Ferdinand AchterbergWhether somebody moved the dish. Nine times out of ten somebody leaned on it, and nobody admits it.
Ferdinand AchterbergThe dish was fine when I left it.
Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorWho leaned on it?
Ferdinand AchterbergA seagull, a ladder, a nephew. Last Tuesday it was my own elbow, and I'd just leveled it. See this? Still reads true.
Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorBut you told our producers you never lose a signal on a job. Let me ask you again, how many times this week?
Ferdinand AchterbergTwice. On my own roof. The dish was fine when I left it, and then a squirrel moved in and had opinions about the bracket.
Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorA squirrel.
Ferdinand AchterbergMy point is, an inspector general could look for months, but a man with a level and a ladder finds it by lunch.
Ferdinand AchterbergCheck the cable, check the mount, ask who touched it.
Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorSo how long should the Pentagon's investigation take, in your professional opinion?
Ferdinand AchterbergFour minutes, plus driving. Then I'd bill them for the squirrel.
Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorThe Pentagon will need a year and a form for that. Gloria, what's the world doing while we argue with a squirrel?