Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky asked US President Donald Trump to convince SpaceX owner Elon Musk to allow the Starlink satellite internet system to be used for strikes on targets on Russian territory. According to The Atlantic, Zelensky made this request during a meeting with Trump at the White House on Tuesday.
Sources close to the meeting said Zelensky argued that expanding Starlink access would allow Ukraine to strike Russian missile launchers with drones. The Kyiv administration, expecting increased attacks on energy infrastructure next winter, aims to destroy the launchers before ballistic missiles are fired and reduce dependence on limited Patriot interceptor missiles.
Denis Shtilerman, chief designer of the Ukrainian company Fire Point, summarized the strategy in a statement to The Atlantic, saying, "Instead of shooting down arrows, we would shoot the archers."
Elon Musk, however, opposes the military use of Starlink and emphasizes that the system was initially developed for peaceful purposes. The Atlantic noted that Musk's stance on the Russia-Ukraine war has not been consistent. In September 2022, Musk refused Ukraine's request to use Starlink for an attack on Russian warships in Crimea, and in early 2026 he prevented the Russian military from using Starlink terminals to control drones on Ukrainian territory.
The article noted that Kyiv's closest connection to Musk was Mykhailo Fedorov, who recently left his post as defense minister. After the resignation of Fedorov, who had prevented Russian soldiers from using Starlink, Ukraine's ability to maintain a dialogue with Musk seriously weakened. A source close to Fedorov said that weeks before his dismissal, the former minister tried to convince Musk to allow Starlink use for strikes on internationally recognized Russian territory, and Musk replied that it might be possible "if Trump gives the order." Talks ceased after Fedorov’s resignation.
Trump said he would consider Zelensky's request to speak with Musk but gave no clear answer. The Atlantic wrote that Zelensky wanted to meet directly with Musk during his US visit, but the businessman refused. An unnamed Ukrainian official said the Trump administration would be cautious about the request, commenting, "Allowing Ukraine to act in this way on its own territory is one thing. Using American technology to destroy air defense systems or ballistic missile launchers on Russian territory is completely different. This is a hostile step. It is not known how Russia will respond."
Airstrike on Kramatorsk
On the evening of July 30, the Russian army struck Kramatorsk with guided aerial bombs. Local authorities reported that the attack hit a residential area of the city, with one strike causing a fire in a multi-story apartment building. Two people were wounded in the attack.
