SpaceX CEO Elon Musk continues to block Ukraine from using the Starlink satellite system for deep strikes inside Russia, despite recent media reports, The Kyiv Independent said, citing three sources.
Several Western outlets have claimed that Musk is not opposed to Ukraine employing Starlink to guide drones to Russian targets. One source, however, says the head of SpaceX believes such permission would not help end the war. “Musk wants to reach a deal in this war, not its escalation,” the source told journalists.
The source adds that Elon Musk held unproductive talks with former Ukrainian Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov. After those discussions, the SpaceX chief decided to keep Ukraine from using Starlink for operations on Russian soil.
Earlier, a misunderstanding emerged involving Ukraine’s Defense Ministry, Musk, and U.S. President Donald Trump. President Volodymyr Zelensky said the ministry had told him that Musk had apparently approved the use of Starlink for missions in Russia, pending only the U.S. president’s consent.
Later, Volodymyr Zelensky clarified that Musk never gave such approval. He stressed that his team, together with officials from the Trump administration, is still negotiating with Musk in hopes of a breakthrough. A Ukrainian official explained that the U.S. administration told Kyiv the decision must come from SpaceX itself.
Starlink’s effectiveness under threat
The window of opportunity for Starlink in Ukraine is narrowing. El Mundo previously noted how Ukraine’s reliance on the satellite system is becoming increasingly evident, but Russian radio‑jamming equipment is already reducing its usefulness on the front lines.
Russian media, citing sources within the Russian defense‑industrial complex, reported that serial production of the electronic‑warfare system “Khvilya‑Kupol‑Garant” is under way. The system is designed to counter the Starlink satellite network effectively.
Source: UNIAN
