During a meeting at the White House with U.S. President Donald Trump, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy made a significant request. According to The Atlantic, Zelenskyy asked Trump to persuade SpaceX owner Elon Musk to allow the Starlink satellite internet system to be used in strikes on targets inside Russian territory.
Officials close to the meeting said that behind this request is Ukraine's strategy of using drones to strike Russian missile launchers. As it expects increased attacks on its energy infrastructure this coming winter, Ukraine aims to destroy launchers before ballistic missiles are fired and reduce dependence on Patriot missiles. Denis Shtylerman, chief designer at Ukrainian company Fire Point, summed up the approach: “Instead of downing the arrows, we shoot the archers.”
Elon Musk, however, opposes the military use of Starlink, emphasizing that the system was developed for peaceful purposes. Musk previously rejected Ukraine's request to use Starlink for an attack on Russian warships in Crimea, and in early 2026 he also prevented the Russian military from using Starlink terminals to control drones over Ukrainian territory.
The report notes that Kyiv's closest link to Musk was Mykhailo Fedorov, who recently left his post as defense minister. After Fedorov's resignation, Ukraine's ability to engage in dialogue with Musk significantly weakened. A source close to Fedorov said that before his dismissal, the former minister tried to persuade Musk to allow the use of Starlink for strikes on internationally recognized Russian territory, and Musk replied that it might be possible “if Trump gives the order.”
Trump said he would consider Zelenskyy's request but gave no definite answer. The Atlantic wrote that Zelenskyy wanted to meet directly with Musk during his U.S. visit, but the businessman rejected the request. An unnamed Ukrainian official said the Trump administration would likely approach the request cautiously, adding: “Allowing Ukraine to operate this way on its own territory is one thing. Using American technology to destroy air defense systems or ballistic missile launchers inside Russia is completely different. That's a hostile step. It's unknown how Russia would react.”
Kramatorsk air strike
On the evening of July 30, the Russian army struck Kramatorsk with guided aerial bombs. Local authorities reported that the attack hit a residential area of the city, with one strike causing a fire in a multi-story building. Two people were wounded.
