Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has asked U.S. President Donald Trump to help win Elon Musk's approval for Ukraine to use Starlink satellite internet to support strikes inside Russia, according to two news reports.
Musk, whose SpaceX company operates Starlink, currently allows Ukrainian forces to use the system within their own territory, including in regions occupied by Russian troops. However, he has restricted its use inside Russia itself, limiting Kyiv's ability to coordinate long-range attacks on Russian soil.
The request comes as Ukraine seeks ways to reduce its dependence on U.S. Patriot air defense systems. Zelensky reportedly hopes that expanded Starlink access could help offset the need for additional Patriot batteries.
Trump, who has been walking back a possible access deal, is now being asked to intervene with Musk directly. The outcome of that appeal remains unclear, but the request underscores the high-stakes reliance of Ukraine on both American technology and political support in its war effort.
The reports did not provide further details on when Zelensky made the request or how Trump responded.