{
  "id": 2778662,
  "title": "Ukraine and Russia seeking Starlink alternatives, says Zelensky",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/23/ukraine-and-russia-seeking-starlink-alternatives-says-zelensky",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-08-23T10:29:58.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Free Malaysia Today",
    "slug": "free-malaysia-today",
    "url": "https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/world/2026/08/23/ukraine-and-russia-seeking-starlink-alternatives-says-zelensky"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Ukraine and Russia are both working on their own alternatives to Starlink, the satellite communications system controlled by Elon Musk, according to Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky. Musk restricted Russian access to Starlink satellites during the Ukraine war last year, which experts believe has impacted Russian tactical command and offensive capacity. The Russians are collaborating with China on a Starlink equivalent, aiming to have it operational by December 2026. Meanwhile, Ukraine is developing a similar project in partnership with a European nation and is already testing it. President Zelensky stated that Ukraine is seeking authorization from Musk and the US administration to use Starlink satellites in Russian territory. Musk's position on Ukraine has fluctuated since the invasion in 2022; he initially opposed allowing Starlink coverage over Russia, arguing it would escalate tensions, but Ukraine contends it could help shorten the conflict. By targeting Russian ballistic launchers, Ukraine aims to counter Russia's increased use of these missiles, which are primarily countered by US-designed Patriot systems. In 2023, Ukraine received 675 Patriot missiles, a significant increase from 364 in 2025 and 264 in 2026.",
  "summary": "The Ukrainian president said Russia is working with China to develop the technology, while Ukraine is pursuing a similar project with a European country.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 8,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "RTE News",
        "title": "Zelensky says wartime elections would 'split' Ukraine",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/23/zelensky-says-wartime-elections-would-split-ukraine",
        "published": "2026-08-23T08:17:17.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Ukrinform - Politics",
        "title": "Ukraine continues talks on using Starlink in Russia for long-range drones – Zelensky",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/23/ukraine-continues-talks-on-using-starlink-in-russia-for-long-range",
        "published": "2026-08-23T08:45:00.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "ERR News Estonia",
        "title": "Prime minister in Kyiv: Russia shouldn't count on us tiring of Ukraine support",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/23/prime-minister-in-kyiv-russia-shouldnt-count-on-us-tiring-of-ukraine",
        "published": "2026-08-23T08:50:00.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Free Malaysia Today",
        "title": "Zelensky rejects wartime elections, says would ‘split’ Ukraine",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/23/zelensky-rejects-wartime-elections-says-would-split-ukraine",
        "published": "2026-08-23T09:00:09.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "France 24",
        "title": "Ukraine: Zelensky asks for more Patriot interceptors as civilian deaths hit highest level since 2022",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/23/ukraine-zelensky-asks-for-more-patriot-interceptors-as-civilian",
        "published": "2026-08-23T09:05:59.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Kyiv Independent",
        "title": "'Hunting their launch sites' — Zelensky reveals new details about Ukraine's ballistic missile defense",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/23/hunting-their-launch-sites-zelensky-reveals-new-details-about",
        "published": "2026-08-23T11:11:47.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Egypt Independent",
        "title": "Russia likely to mobilize at least 300,000 more troops to Ukraine war, Zelensky warns",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/23/russia-likely-to-mobilize-at-least-300-000-more-troops-to-ukraine-war",
        "published": "2026-08-23T12:57:47.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}