Re: Should be (relatively) simple...
I'm still puzzled why Congress is making such a big deal out of this given Russia doesn't exactly need Starlink.
Russia's invasion revealed a lack of decent communications systems in its military. Russia has spent the last 30 years developing advanced military technology but didn't follow through in deployment, allegedly because deployment funds went into the pockets of Putin's associates.
Communications gear is one of those deployment failures. While the Russians have advanced, jam-resistant, frequency-hopping software-defined radios (e.g., the R-187P Azart), most of their troops have been stuck using unencrypted radio, civilian walkie talkies, personal cellphones, and co-opted Ukrainian cell towers to communicate. This has resulted in the high death rate of Russian generals and the ability of every interested nation to listen in on Russian activity. Further, the focus on individual communication devices rather than a coherent system means the Russians have an incompatible stew of radios.
Deficient access to equipment has plagued Russian throughout its invasion. The early invasion saw inadequate clothing, food, fuel, and medicine, resulting in Russian troops - who should've been the most winterized force in history - suffering frostbite, starvation, and fuel exhaustion.
Since the Russians have been dependent on captured Ukrainian cell towers and civilian communications equipment, it's reasonable they'd exploit Starlink, too.