Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky reportedly asked Donald Trump to urge Elon Musk to allow Starlink-guided strikes inside Russia, The Atlantic reports. The appeal, made in private White House talks, sought broader satellite access to help Ukrainian forces locate and destroy mobile Russian missile launchers before winter. SpaceX currently allows Starlink on Ukrainian soil but bars its use inside Russia; officials also raised the costlier Starshield alternative. Kyiv separately requested 300 Patriot interceptors from the U.S.
Zelensky Asked Trump to Press Musk to Let Starlink Guide Strikes Inside Russia, Report Says
Trump and Zelensky
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky reportedly asked former U.S. President Donald Trump to press SpaceX chief Elon Musk to permit Ukraine to use the Starlink satellite network to guide drone strikes inside Russian territory, The Atlantic reported, citing U.S. and Ukrainian officials familiar with the discussions.
What Happened
The request was made during closed-door talks at the White House this week. Zelensky argued that broader access to SpaceX’s constellation would enable Ukrainian forces to locate and destroy Russia’s mobile ballistic missile launchers before winter, when officials fear intensified strikes on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure.
According to the report, Trump said he would consider the proposal and would speak with Musk but did not commit to changing policy.
Starlink, Starshield And Operational Limits
SpaceX currently allows Starlink service on Ukrainian territory — including areas occupied by Russia such as Crimea — but restricts its use inside the Russian Federation. Those limits have pushed Ukrainian forces to rely on less precise, AI-assisted navigation systems for some long-range cross-border drone operations.
Ukrainian officials also raised the possibility of using SpaceX’s defense-focused Starshield network if Musk declines to authorize Starlink for strikes inside Russia. Officials cautioned that Starshield would be more expensive and would require more work to integrate with Ukraine’s existing drone platforms.
Additional Military Requests
Separately, Kyiv asked Washington for 300 Patriot surface-to-air interceptors to strengthen its air defenses. Rather than supplying missiles directly, Trump offered Ukraine a license to manufacture Patriot missiles domestically — a plan U.S. officials say is unlikely to yield significant production for several years.
Source: The Atlantic, citing U.S. and Ukrainian officials. Additional coverage originally appeared on Mediaite.
The request and the subsequent discussion highlight ongoing tensions over the role of private-sector technology in modern warfare and the diplomatic channels used to seek operational support.
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