**Musk Blocks Ukraine's Use of Starlink for Deep Strikes in Russia**
Elon Musk has reportedly declined Ukraine's request to utilize his Starlink satellite internet service for guiding drone strikes deep within Russian territory. This information was revealed by The Atlantic, which cited two associates of former Ukrainian Defense Minister Mikhail Fedorov.
Fedorov, known for his advocacy of drone warfare, was dismissed from his position last month. Since then, he has been attempting to engage Musk through informal channels to overturn the decision, but to no avail. An ally of Fedorov stated, “As of this moment, there is no positive decision,” adding that Musk has suggested that it is time to negotiate a deal.
The situation escalated during a recent visit to the United States by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, who reportedly sought assistance from former President Donald Trump in persuading Musk. However, Trump did not commit to any specific action regarding the matter.
Musk initially supported Ukraine by providing numerous Starlink terminals shortly after the onset of the conflict with Russia in February 2022. However, tensions arose between Musk and Ukrainian officials as he began advocating for a peaceful resolution between Moscow and Kyiv. He expressed concerns about the potential for the conflict to escalate into a larger war, warning that it could lead to “World War III.”
In 2023, Musk confirmed that he had previously rejected Ukraine's requests to use Starlink for targeting Russia's Black Sea Fleet and naval installations in Crimea. He stated, “If I had agreed to their request, then SpaceX would be explicitly complicit in a major act of war and conflict escalation.”
The refusal from Musk represents a significant setback for Ukraine's diplomatic efforts, particularly following Trump's retraction of an earlier commitment to provide Ukraine with a license to manufacture Patriot air defense missiles. This has compounded the challenges faced by Ukraine, as Zelensky and military officials have reported difficulties in countering Russian attacks on Kyiv and other cities.
The dismissal of Fedorov led to public unrest in Ukraine, with protests erupting as citizens and activists called for his reinstatement. In response to the backlash, Zelensky took the step of dismissing General Aleksandr Syrsky, the country’s top military commander, who had reportedly been at odds with Fedorov over military strategies and priorities.
The ongoing conflict and the complexities surrounding international support continue to shape the situation in Ukraine, with the implications of Musk's decision reverberating through the country's military and diplomatic landscape.