Zelenskyy Urges Trump to Expand Starlink Access After Russian Strikes

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy accused the United States of failing to provide sufficient support following a wave of Russian airstrikes that killed 78 people and injured 215 across Ukraine over two days. The attacks included a strike on a residential building in Pryluky that killed 22 people and a bomb attack on passenger buses in Kramatorsk that killed at least 30 to 35 people.

Zelenskyy urged President Donald Trump to impose tougher sanctions on Russia and expand Ukraine's access to Starlink satellite services to target Russian ballistic-missile launchers. He criticized U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio for describing the conflict as a stalemate, suggesting Washington is prioritizing potential economic cooperation with Moscow—including discussions involving Special Envoy Jared Kushner regarding Nord Stream gas pipelines—over Ukrainian security.

In response to these dependencies, Zelenskyy announced that Ukraine is developing its own Starlink-style communications system, with plans to launch 120 satellites in 2027 to support military operations and critical infrastructure. This project follows the failure of Russia's Rassvet constellation.

While Russian officials denied intentionally targeting civilians, Ukrainian officials reported intensified strikes on energy facilities and data centers ahead of winter. Meanwhile, Ukrainian negotiators are scheduled to travel to Florida for talks with U.S. officials to discuss security guarantees and a postwar prosperity plan. Separately, South Korea is recalling its ambassador to Ukraine following a dispute over the transfer of North Korean prisoners of war.