Finnish President Alexander Stubb urged Elon Musk to enable Starlink over parts of Russia to help Ukraine locate and strike mobile ballistic missile launchers, saying such a step could save lives this winter. He warned Ukraine faces depleted air-defence ammunition as missile attacks rise and outlined three priorities: air defences, energy infrastructure protection, and financial aid. Stubb also backed renewed U.S.-led diplomatic contacts and proposed ceasefire and buffer-zone ideas as interim stabilizing measures.
Finnish President Urges Musk To Activate Starlink Over Russia To Help Ukraine Target Missile Launchers
Finland's President Alexander Stubb speaks during a meeting of the United Nations Security Council on Ukraine, during the 81st United Nations General Assembly, at UN Headquarters in New York City, US, September 23, 2026. REUTERS/Brendan McDermid
Finnish President Alexander Stubb told Reuters in New York that he has personally urged SpaceX owner Elon Musk to expand Starlink satellite coverage so Ukraine could use the system to locate and strike Russian ballistic missile launchers positioned inside Russian territory. Stubb argued that enabling Starlink where launchers operate could help protect civilians as winter increases the risk from missile attacks.
"That's why ... I plead that Elon Musk would give the Ukrainians the possibility to use Starlink in areas where there are ballistic missile launchers, either in the occupied territory of Ukraine or in Russia for strategic purposes because that would save lives," Stubb said.
With winter approaching, Kyiv faces a severe shortage of air-defence ammunition while Russian ballistic missile strikes surged to record levels over the summer. Ukraine's Patriot batteries are currently among the few systems capable of intercepting such missiles, but stocks are depleted and the timeline for resupply remains uncertain.
Why Stubb Believes Starlink Could Help
Musk enabled Starlink service over Ukraine soon after the 2022 invasion, and the network has since become vital for battlefield communications and drone operations. Starlink does not operate over Russian territory today; Ukrainian officials say authorizing its use inside Russia could improve the ability to detect and target mobile ballistic launchers located within several hundred kilometres of the border.
Stubb's Immediate Priorities for Ukraine
- Air Defences: Reinforce interception capacity and consider technological measures, including Starlink's role in targeting and battlefield coordination.
- Energy Infrastructure: Protect power and heating facilities ahead of winter to reduce civilian hardship.
- Financial Support: Secure funding for a comprehensive winter aid package to sustain essential services and defence needs.
Stubb also welcomed a recent resumption of U.S.-led diplomatic contacts between Moscow and Kyiv and said an unconditional ceasefire would be the simplest way to stop the killing and open talks on security, borders, reconstruction and compensation. As an interim measure, he proposed freezing the front line with 30-kilometre buffer zones east and west or adopting a partial ceasefire focused on energy and grain-related targets.
(Reporting by Tom Balmforth; Editing by Howard Goller)
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