Ukraine Seeks Starlink Expansion as Zelenskyy Honors Elon Musk

Kyiv is urging SpaceX owner Elon Musk to expand Starlink satellite coverage over Russian territory to help target ballistic missile launchers, as President Volodymyr Zelenskiy awarded him the Order of Freedom under an official presidential decree on Wednesday.

Ukraine relies heavily on the satellite internet network for battlefield communications and drone operations, following Musk's decision to activate the service shortly after Russia's full-scale invasion in 2022. Earlier this year, SpaceX disabled thousands of grey-market Starlink terminals used by Russian forces after requests from former Defence Minister Mykhailo Fedorov.

Ukrainian officials now seek wider network authorization inside Russian borders to neutralize missile capabilities that cause widespread damage to civilian areas. President Zelenskiy initially faced opposition from Musk over fears of a major conflict escalation, though recent communications suggest shifting feedback from the company.

Expanding Starlink coverage across the border could significantly limit Moscow's operational capability to prolong military action against Ukrainian towns and cities, according to Zelenskiy.