Ukraine's Military Could Get Starlink for Drone Operations – If Washington Agrees
Elon Musk has discussed allowing Ukrainian forces to use his Starlink satellite network for drone attacks on Russian soil. The Financial Times reports, citing unnamed sources, that Musk regards the issue as political and believes the White House must decide.
Until now, Musk has only made Starlink available inside Ukraine, including Crimea and other regions occupied by Russia. Kyiv wants to use the satellite system to guide drones toward mobile launchers for ballistic missiles that Moscow has used to strike targets in Ukraine.
Zelensky Asks Trump to Intervene
President Volodymyr Zelensky has asked Donald Trump to press Musk into letting Ukrainian troops operate drones through Starlink during strikes against Russia. After meeting Zelensky, Trump said he would examine the request and talk with Musk, but he offered no guarantees.
The continued use of Starlink by Ukraine's military therefore remains uncertain and depends on political decisions made in Washington.
This episode highlights the growing reliance on advanced technology in modern warfare and the political weight behind such tools. With Starlink already serving as a key communications and command link in wartime, the outcome could significantly shape Ukraine's ability to strike back. It also underscores how private-sector decisions can influence battlefield dynamics in ways that governments alone once controlled.