Ukraine Wants to Use Starlink to Target Missile Systems in Russia

Ukraine wants to obtain permission to use the Starlink satellite network to guide long-range drones toward ballistic missile launchers on Russian territory.

This was reported by The Atlantic.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky made this request to US President Donald Trump during closed-door talks at the White House.

Currently, SpaceX restricts the use of Starlink in Russia, which is why Ukrainian long-range drones use alternative navigation systems to fly to their targets.

The Ukrainian side explained the need for such authorization by the necessity to destroy mobile ballistic missile launchers, which Russian occupiers are using to strike Ukrainian cities and critical infrastructure.

Officials in Kyiv believe that Starlink would enable more precise guidance of drones toward such targets.

Sources also report that Zelensky wanted to discuss this issue separately with Elon Musk during his visit to the U.S., but the meeting did not take place due to the businessman’s refusal.

According to sources, Trump stated that he would consider Ukraine’s request and discuss it with Musk, but did not make any commitments regarding his support.

In Ukraine, officials believe that destroying Russian missile systems before the onset of winter will be one way to reduce the threat of new massive strikes on energy infrastructure.

Currently, the Ukrainian Armed Forces are using drones equipped with Starlink satellite communication terminals to target facilities and equipment used by the Russians in the temporarily occupied territory.

This technology allows pilots to track selected targets in real time and precisely guide drones toward them, including models such as the FP-2 with a payload weighing up to 200 kilograms.

Such strikes result in significant losses, particularly to Russian air defense systems and their logistics. In response, the Russians have begun deploying new electronic warfare systems to jam Starlink.