Musk refuses to let Ukraine use Starlink for strikes inside Russia

Elon Musk has declined to allow Ukraine to use the Starlink satellite network for guiding strikes against Russian ballistic missile launchers deep inside Russia, according to reporting by The Atlantic and confirmed by Ukrainian officials. The refusal leaves Kyiv without a tool that experts say could extend its strike capability up to 500 kilometers beyond the front lines.

Zelenskyy's Appeal and Musk's Resistance

The Atlantic first reported in late July that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy asked U.S. President Donald Trump during a White House meeting on July 28 to help broker talks with Musk's SpaceX over expanding Starlink access. Trump reportedly gave no clear answer on whether he would press Musk on the issue.kyivpost+2

Former Ukrainian Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov has since been attempting to reach Musk through informal back channels, according to two of Fedorov's close associates in Kyiv quoted by The Atlantic. Those efforts have so far failed.kyivpost

"As of this moment, there is no positive decision," one of the associates said. Musk has cited concerns about escalation and has repeatedly told Ukrainian officials that "it is time to make a deal" to end the war.pravda+2

Strategic Implications

Ukrainian forces currently can use Starlink only to attack Russian targets within Ukraine's internationally recognized borders, including Crimea and other occupied areas. Kyiv sought the expanded access specifically to target mobile Russian missile launchers before they fire, rather than attempting to intercept incoming missiles.newseu.cgtn+1

The refusal comes as Ukraine faces a shortage of American Patriot interceptor missiles. U.S. Ambassador to NATO Matthew Whitaker confirmed on August 3 that Washington will not allow Ukraine to domestically produce Patriot interceptors, walking back earlier suggestions from Trump at a July NATO summit in Ankara.kyivpost

A Pattern of Restriction

This is not the first time Musk has blocked military uses of Starlink. In 2022, he refused to allow Ukraine to use the system to attack Russian ships near Crimea, citing nuclear escalation risks. Earlier this year, after Ukraine raised concerns that Russian forces were using unauthorized Starlink terminals on attack drones, Musk agreed to block Russian access to the network.newseu.cgtn+1

A Washington Post opinion column published August 7 argued that lifting restrictions on Starlink would be an appropriate response to escalating Russian provocations against NATO, including a missile that detonated in a Polish field last week and an explosive-laden drone found near a runway at Leipzig airport in Germany.washingtonpost