Ukraine Is Trying To Secure Access To Starlink From Musk Within Russia
- 21.08.2026, 15:22
Kyiv will be able to take out Russian missiles before they are even launched.
Ukraine has appealed to Elon Musk to allow the use of the Starlink satellite system on long-range strike drones to target Russian missile launchers, according to Financial Times reports, citing sources.
Kyiv plans to deploy such drones at distances of up to 200 km from the border. The primary targets are expected to be ballistic missile launchers, command centers, and facilities related to their supply. The initiative stems from Ukraine’s acute shortage of air defense systems.
Ballistic missiles pose a particular problem. To intercept them, Kyiv primarily relies on American Patriot systems; however, its stockpile of interceptor missiles is dwindling. At the same time, Russia is ramping up production of missiles and drones, increasing the strain on Ukraine’s air defense system.
“Starlink could provide Ukrainian drones with more reliable communication with operators over long distances. Unlike conventional radio channels, satellite communications are less vulnerable to traditional electronic warfare methods,” the authors write. Therefore, Kyiv hopes to use the system to strike Russian launchers before the missiles are even fired.
However, the decision rests with Musk. He has previously banned the use of Starlink for certain Ukrainian operations against Russian targets, fearing further escalation of the conflict. In 2022, access to the system was restricted during a Ukrainian operation in the Crimea region.
According to sources, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy discussed this issue with Donald Trump during a meeting at the White House in July and asked him to speak with Musk. However, Trump did not give any clear assurances of support for the initiative.
An additional problem for Kyiv was the dismissal of Mykhailo Fedorov, Ukraine’s former defense minister and one of the key intermediaries between the Ukrainian authorities and Musk. Fedorov had previously tried to secure permission to use Starlink for operations outside Ukraine, but acknowledged that achieving a result had proved extremely difficult.