Zelensky Requests US Assistance to Expand Starlink Use for Targeting in Russia
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has asked President Donald Trump and other American officials to help secure permission from tech entrepreneur Elon Musk to use his Starlink satellite communications system for guiding strikes inside Russian territory, according to two people familiar with the matter.
The request was made directly to Trump during an Oval Office meeting this week, one of the sources said. Zelensky also raised the issue with lawmakers later on Capitol Hill, according to a person in the room. Both sources spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss sensitive private discussions. Trump did not commit to the request, the sources said.
The push for expanded Starlink use is part of Zelensky's broader effort to offset Ukraine's dependence on US Patriot air defence systems, which have been critical in intercepting Russian missile and drone attacks. The supply of interceptor missiles has become tighter, and Trump appeared to back away from an earlier commitment to license Ukraine to produce the Patriots domestically.
Musk has allowed Ukrainian forces to use Starlink within Ukraine, including in Russian-occupied regions, but has restricted its use inside Russia. Zelensky has been making the case for expanded access with US officials for several weeks, according to the sources.
If granted, the expanded use could carry risks for Musk. The Associated Press reported in December that intelligence services of two NATO member nations suspect Russia is developing an anti-satellite weapon specifically designed to target Musk's Starlink constellation with clouds of shrapnel. The AP was not able to independently verify those findings.
Russia views the Starlink network as a grave threat. The thousands of low-orbiting satellites have been pivotal to Ukraine's survival since Russia launched its full-scale invasion in February 2022, enabling secure communications and precision targeting.
Zelensky's Washington visit coincided with a memorial service for Senator Lindsey Graham, and he used the opportunity to confer with Trump and lawmakers. During a late-night meeting with senators ahead of a vote on a new Russia sanctions package, Zelensky reiterated his requests.
Senator Mike Rounds, a Republican from South Dakota and member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, said Zelensky's asks were consistent with those he made earlier in July at a NATO summit in Turkey. “They need access to Starlink long term to make their longer-range and intermediate-range systems more accurate,” Rounds said.
“They prefer to be exactly on target, as opposed to, in the general area,” he added. “He made that pretty clear.”
Rounds also said Zelensky again pressed for more Patriot systems and the previously discussed licensing agreement that would allow Ukraine to produce them locally.
Neither the White House, the Ukrainian Embassy in Washington, nor SpaceX, which owns Starlink, immediately responded to requests for comment. The Atlantic first reported Zelensky's efforts to obtain Musk's permission for the expanded Starlink use.
