Musk asks US government to take over funding of satellite network for Ukraine

Mr Musk began sending Starlink satellite dishes to Ukraine just days after Russia invaded in February

Elon Musk has provided satellite communications for Ukraine (Patrick Pleul/Pool via AP)

The US Defence Department has received a request from SpaceX and Tesla founder Elon Musk to take over funding of his satellite network that has provided crucial battlefield communications for Ukrainian military forces since the beginning of the war with Russia.

US officials said the issue has been discussed in meetings and senior leaders are weighing up the request.