Exclusive: Musk opposes allowing Ukraine to use Starlink for strikes on Russia, despite recent media reports, sources say
The Financial Times reported on Aug. 30 that Elon Musk was open to Ukraine using Starlink-equipped drones to strike targets in Russia, but said the decision would ultimately be a political one requiring approval from the White House.
Elon Musk has reportedly opposed allowing Ukraine to use Starlink for strikes deep inside Russia, despite recent media reports suggesting otherwise. Three sources familiar with the matter told the Kyiv Independent that Musk believes such operations would not help bring the war to an end and that he wants a deal in this war, not escalation.
The Ukrainian president, Volodymyr Zelensky, had raised the issue during a closed-door meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump, but Ukraine has yet to receive approval. Zelensky said an alleged miscommunication between Ukraine's Defense Ministry, Musk, and the U.S. president failed to secure Starlink access over Russia, damaging Kyiv's relationship with the White House.
Brief written by urgent.news from Kyiv Independent's own syndicated text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
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