Ukraine and Russia pursue own satellite systems
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has disclosed that both Ukraine and Russia are developing alternatives to Starlink, the satellite communications system whose access is controlled by Elon Musk. Speaking in remarks made public on Sunday, Zelensky said, "The Russians are building a Starlink equivalent together with the Chinese, and they believe they will have this project ready by December 2026." He added that Ukraine would not "just sit and wait" and is "implementing a similar project with a European country," noting that testing had already begun.
Musk had restricted Russian access to Starlink satellites last year, a move that experts say has likely disrupted Russian tactical command and limited its offensive capabilities. The restriction underlines the strategic importance of the satellite network in the war.
Ukraine seeks Starlink use over Russian territory
Kyiv is now seeking permission from both Musk and the US administration to use Starlink for operations inside Russian territory. Zelensky said Musk has been reluctant, viewing such use as an escalation.
According to a report from The News International, Zelensky quoted Musk as saying, "This constitutes an escalation." Zelensky argued that allowing Starlink over Russia could shorten the conflict by reducing the capabilities Moscow relies on to drag out the war.
Zelensky also recounted that his defense ministry told him Musk had approved the use, pending approval from President Donald Trump. However, Trump later said he felt Zelensky had "tricked him" because Musk denied Ukraine the use of Starlink in Russian territory.
Zelensky acknowledged that he had gone back to his defense ministry and they had said, "maybe that's how it was indeed." He added that Kyiv had "found our way out of difficult situations through different pathways" throughout the conflict.
Background and tactical context
Musk has shifted his stance on Ukraine several times since Russia's full-scale invasion in 2022. Contacts with the tech entrepreneur were reportedly handled by former defense minister Mykhailo Fedorov, who was recently ousted.
Zelensky emphasized that Kyiv is trying to strike Russian ballistic missile launch sites, as Moscow has increased use of such missiles, which can be destroyed by US-designed Patriot systems. He provided figures for incoming Patriot missiles, saying Ukraine received 675 in 2023 compared to 364 in 2025 and 264 in 2026.
Divergent accounts of the Starlink decision
Both reports capture distinct versions of events regarding the Starlink over Russia. One account presents Musk as having restricted Russian access and considering a potential reversal, while Kyiv is developing its own alternative with a European country.
The other narrative details Zelensky's statement that Musk could "reconsider" his stance, and ties the end of service agreement for Russian forces to recent Ukrainian military victories.
Zelensky maintains that allowing Starlink use on drones heading into Russia would not only support Ukraine's defense but also diminish Russia's ability to drag on the conflict.
Perspectives
Zelensky advocates for use of Starlink over Russian territory as a legitimate tool to shorten the war, and asserts the country has made contingency plans with European partners if permission is not granted. Trump, on the other hand, has expressed that Zelensky deceived him about the situation, claiming that Musk refused to allow Starlink use in Russian territory, despite later approvals from the defense ministry. As for Russia, it is collaborating with China to build its own Starlink equivalent, expected by December 2026, indicating it is not dependent on US-owned infrastructure.