"Rather than shooting down arrows, strike the archer."
On July 30, The Atlantic reported that Zelenskyy has requested Trump to persuade Elon Musk to allow Ukraine to use Starlink satellite network for targeting deep inside Russia with Ukrainian drones.
According to sources cited by The Atlantic—U.S. and Ukrainian officials—in a closed-door meeting at the White House on Tuesday, Zelenskyy argued that expanding access to this satellite network would enable Ukraine to target Russian ballistic missile launchers while reducing reliance on increasingly scarce Patriot air defense interceptors.
The article stated that Trump said he would consider the request but made no commitments.
Currently, SpaceX only permits Ukraine to use Starlink within Ukrainian territory—including occupied regions such as Crimea—and prohibits its use inside Russia.
As a result, Ukraine’s long-range drones rely on less precise AI-based navigation systems when striking cross-border targets.
According to reports, Zelenskyy told Trump that Ukraine needs more accurate targeting capabilities to destroy mobile Russian ballistic missile launchers before winter arrives, when Moscow is expected to intensify attacks on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure.
He also hoped to meet with Musk during his visit to the U.S., but was politely declined by the billionaire.
The report noted that Kyiv has requested 300 Patriot interceptors from Washington, but instead Trump offered Ukraine permission to produce these missiles domestically—a process expected to take years before reaching meaningful output levels.
Ukrainian officials believe expanding Starlink access would provide a faster and lower-cost solution.
Citing Denis Shchitlyerman, co-founder of Ukrainian defense company Fire Point, The Atlantic wrote that Starlink-guided drones are more effective at neutralizing Russia's missile threat than interceptors: "Rather than shooting down arrows, strike the archer."
It was reported that Ukraine also suggested using SpaceX’s military-grade “Starshield” network if Musk refuses to authorize Starlink usage—but Ukrainian officials said Starshield is more expensive and harder to integrate into existing drone systems.
While seeking expanded Starlink access for current war efforts, Ukraine is also pursuing long-term independence. Ukrainian company Stetman plans to begin deploying its national satellite constellation in 2027, aiming to eventually replace government and military communications reliance on foreign-operated systems like Starlink.
Original: toutiao.com/article/1872314603132936/
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