Ukraine tests alternative to Starlink without stopping using Musk network

“ Othe Russians are building an equivalent of Starlink with the Chinese and believe they will complete this project by December 2026′′, Zelensky said to journalists in statements made public today.

Access to the Starlink network, a service provided by SpaceX, the aerospace company of Elon Musk, was cut off to the Russians in Ukraine in 2025 by the executive president of the multinational, in a decision that, according to experts, contributed to the success of Kiev's counterattacks against Russia.

“ We will not simply expect the Chinese and Russians to launch their own Starlink equivalent,” Zelensky said, confirming that Kiev “is currently developing a similar project with a European country” and that tests have already been started.

The Ukrainian President has assured Kyiv that he will continue to work with Starlink and hopes to convince Elon Musk to allow use of the satellite network to carry out attacks in Russia, with Washington's approval.

“For the time being, [Elon Musk] said this would represent an escalation, but it can change its mind when it sees more convincing arguments,” he said.

The US technological giant has changed her position with Ukraine several times since the start of the Russian invasion on a large scale, which began in February 2022, and has maintained close contact with former Ukrainian Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov, who was fired in July.

For the Ukrainian leader, the attacks could “lead to a reduction in the capabilities that Russia is using to prolong the war” by targeting Russian ballistic missile launchers, increasingly used by Moscow.

Kiev calls for more ammunition to intercept them, particularly from North American Patriot missiles, whose absence has worsened since the start of the war in the Middle East.

Ukraine received 675 Patriot missiles in 2023, compared to 364 in 2025 and 264 in 2026, Zelensky said.