Ukrainian troops depend on satellite links to talk to each other and to steer drones that knock down incoming Russian attack drones. Ukrainian officials say that service was suddenly restricted, with no advance warning, and that fast-moving equipment lost its connection mid-mission. Some service came back. Officials say a speed limit remains. A partial fix still leaves drones dropping out when soldiers need them most. Military communications that Americans pay for should never depend on one company's decision, or on a surprise policy shift nobody explains. Lives on the front line, and the credibility of every promise America has made to an ally, ride on a connection that works. Congress holds the funding and the oversight, and it should use both to make sure this cannot happen again. Require full, reliable satellite service for Ukraine's defense, and bar any cutoff of US-funded military communications without notice to Congress.
Ukrainian troops depend on satellite links to talk to each other and to steer drones that knock down incoming Russian attack drones. Ukrainian officials say that service was suddenly restricted, with no advance warning, and that fast-moving equipment lost its connection mid-mission. Some service came back. Officials say a speed limit remains. A partial fix still leaves drones dropping out when soldiers need them most. Military communications that Americans pay for should never depend on one company's decision, or on a surprise policy shift nobody explains. Lives on the front line, and the credibility of every promise America has made to an ally, ride on a connection that works. Congress holds the funding and the oversight, and it should use both to make sure this cannot happen again. Require full, reliable satellite service for Ukraine's defense, and bar any cutoff of US-funded military communications without notice to Congress.
