SpaceX owner Elon Musk has refused to provide Ukraine with Starlink access for strikes against Russian missile launchers deep inside Russia, according to the U.S. publication The Atlantic, citing informed sources.

According to the report, former Ukrainian Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov attempted through unofficial channels to persuade Elon Musk to allow the Ukrainian Armed Forces to use Starlink for targeting locations in Russia. However, The Atlantic writes: “At this point, there has been no positive decision.” Musk believes such a measure would lead to further escalation of the war and insists on a “deal” between Moscow and Kyiv.

At present, the Ukrainian Armed Forces can attack Russian targets using the Starlink system only within the internationally recognized territory of Ukraine.

During a meeting in Washington on July 28, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy asked Donald Trump to persuade Elon Musk to allow the Ukrainian Armed Forces to use Starlink to guide drones in strikes against targets deep inside Russia.

Zelenskyy justified his request by saying that Ukraine expects Russia to intensify attacks on its energy infrastructure this winter and that Ukraine would be able to destroy Russian launchers before they launch ballistic missiles. Such a measure would also help reduce Kyiv’s dependence on supplies of scarce Patriot interceptor missiles.

Trump promised to consider the Ukrainian president’s request. Musk himself declined to meet with Zelenskyy.