Kyiv Independent: Musk Does Not Want Ukraine to Use Starlink for Strikes Inside Russia

Elon Musk does not want Ukraine to use Starlink to guide drone strikes deep inside Russia, despite recent reports that he had no objection, according to The Kyiv Independent, which cited three sources.

One source said the SpaceX chief believes allowing Ukraine to use the satellite network for operations in Russia would not help end the war. “Musk wants the war to end through an agreement, not escalate further,” the source said.

The source also said Musk held unsuccessful talks with former Ukrainian Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov. After those discussions, Musk decided not to grant Ukraine permission to use Starlink for operations inside Russian territory.

The issue has already produced confusion involving Ukraine’s Defense Ministry, Musk and U.S. President Donald Trump. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said his defense ministry had told him Musk approved the use of Starlink for operations inside Russia and that only Trump’s consent was needed. Zelenskyy later said Musk had not given such permission. He added that his team and representatives of the Trump administration were continuing negotiations with Musk.

A Ukrainian official told journalists that the U.S. administration had informed Ukraine that SpaceX, rather than the administration, must decide how Starlink is used. At the same time, Ukraine’s dependence on the network may become more exposed. El Mundo reported that Russian jamming systems were already reducing Starlink’s effectiveness at the front. Russian media, citing sources in the country’s defense industry, said serial production had begun on the Volna Kupol Garant jamming system, which they said could disrupt Starlink operations.

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Musk wants the war to end through an agreement, not escalate further.