WASHINGTON, Oct 22 (Reuters) - Democratic US Senator Richard Blumenthal on Thursday said he had opened an inquiry into Ukraine's loss of critical access to the Pentagon's Starshield satellite communications service and the resulting degrading of Kyiv's ability to defend itself against Russian attacks.

Russia prides itself on its digital advances — from an extensive e-commerce services sector to ambitious plans for developing artificial intelligence.

Kansas Republican Sen. Roger Marshall said Wednesday that Ukraine’s war with Russia — and not the U.S. war with Iran — was to blame for high diesel prices that have imperiled his party’s control of Congress in the midterm elections.

Washington says it has no plans to renew strikes on Iran before the Nov. 3 midterms, but escalation may not wait long after that.

Russia and Ukraine continued to exchange attacks despite America’s efforts to bring an end to the war. Russia pounded Kyiv with missiles; Ukraine launched 630 drones towards Moscow. Vladimir Putin said he would enter American-brokered peace negotiations in November after meeting Steve Witkoff,

Tanks and armored vehicles have been relegated in Ukraine, but Operation Vivaldi shows they can still break through with more support and planning.

In recent days, President Trump exempted Russia from new sanctions and agreed to buy Russian diesel. This newfound favorable attitude toward Russia has heightened concerns about the impact on Ukraine.

European officials are resigning themselves to the fact that a Democratic victory in the midterms won’t rescue Ukraine from the Trump administration’s shift toward Russia.