Musk agrees to Ukraine Starlink drone strikes on Russia, FT reports

August 31, 2026 at 07:51 PM2 min

This digest was compiled by AI from multiple sources — links to the originals are below.

Elon Musk has agreed to allow Ukraine to use Starlink-equipped drones for strikes on Russian territory, the Financial Times reported on Sunday, August 30. The decision was communicated in a conversation with former Ukrainian Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov, who is currently in the United States seeking investment for Ukraine's defense technology fund.

Key Facts

Elon Musk agreed to allow Ukraine to use Starlink-equipped drones for strikes on Russian territory, the Financial Times reported on August 30.
Musk called the decision a political one that must be made in the White House, according to FT sources.
Former Ukrainian Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov is in the United States seeking investment for Ukraine's defense technology fund.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky signed a decree on August 26 awarding Musk the Order of Freedom.

Musk's Reported Agreement

Elon Musk has agreed to allow Ukraine to use Starlink-equipped drones for strikes on Russian territory, the Financial Times reported on Sunday, August 30, citing informed sources. The agreement was communicated in a conversation with former Ukrainian Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov, according to the sources. Musk emphasized that this is a political decision that must be made in the White House, the FT sources said. Fedorov declined to disclose the content of his conversations with Musk, and the timing and circumstances of their discussion were not specified.

Fedorov's US Visit

Mykhailo Fedorov is currently in the United States seeking investment for Ukraine's defense technology fund, the Financial Times reported. In an interview with the FT, Fedorov called the strengthening of Ukraine's long-range strikes on Russia the most viable path to forcing President Vladimir Putin to end the war. Fedorov said Ukraine needs more jet drones, cheap missiles, and AI-equipped missiles, adding that no other dialogue with Putin is possible because he understands only force.

Context and Recognition

A week earlier, the Financial Times reported that US President Donald Trump did not support Ukraine's request to use Starlink for strikes on Russia. In early August, The Atlantic reported that Musk had refused to provide Starlink for strikes on Russian missile launchers deep inside Russia. On August 26, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky signed a decree awarding Musk the Order of Freedom for outstanding personal merits in protecting life and freedom and developing relations between Ukraine and the United States.