Ukraine remains blocked from using Starlink to conduct drone strikes inside Russia, according to reports from the Kyiv Independent citing three individuals familiar with the discussions. SpaceX CEO Elon Musk has maintained his opposition to enabling the technology for military operations beyond Ukrainian territory, even as Kyiv seeks expanded Starlink coverage to target Russian military sites, including missile launch facilities. The Ukrainian government has yet to receive authorization for the move, which would allow satellite-connected drones to strike deep into Russia.
Starlink terminals currently used by Ukrainian forces operate in Russian-occupied areas of Ukraine but are disabled over Russian territory. A source told the Kyiv Independent that Musk views the proposal as a political decision requiring approval from the White House and believes such actions could escalate the war rather than end it. During a July meeting at the White House, Zelenskyy reportedly asked Trump to intercede with Musk, but Trump did not commit to the request, and attendees doubted Musk would agree.
Starlink has been critical to Ukrainian military operations, providing satellite communications between combat positions, drones, and command centers. When installed on unmanned aircraft, the terminals allow operators to maintain connections up to 200 kilometers (125 miles) from the front lines, bypassing vulnerabilities in conventional radio links. Ukraine has used these drones to strike Russian forces and logistics routes in occupied territory, though extending their range into Russia faces significant hurdles.
Russia has also targeted Starlink infrastructure, seeking to disrupt Ukraine’s communications while attempting to acquire terminals for its own forces. A Russian developer recently unveiled a project aimed at replicating Starlink’s capabilities, highlighting the technology’s strategic value in the conflict. Musk’s stance, however, remains unchanged, with no indication of approval for expanded use despite Ukraine’s repeated appeals.