Billionaire innovator Elon Musk said late Saturday that SpaceX’s Starlink satellite internet service is now accessible in Ukraine, with additional terminals on the way.
What Led to His Involvement?
Musk commented on social media in reply to a tweet from Ukraine’s Vice Prime Minister Mykhailo Fedorov.
Dear @elonmusk 👋
Ukraine needs your support. Your stance and your actions matter.
An appeal by our Minister of Digital Transformation here👇 https://t.co/7dhrwApApZ
— Ukraine / Україна (@Ukraine) February 26, 2022
Ukraine made a point of emphasizing the tweet, stating, “Ukraine requires your assistance, Elon Musk.”
The Ukrainian government then went on to declare the actions and positions of the innovator are very important. Ukraine specifically made this point known via Twitter.
Musk stated the Starlink service is now operational in Ukraine. Additionally, even more terminals are on the way, according to Musk.
The Vice Prime Minister of Ukraine asked Elon Musk to get Starlink internet service to Ukraine and Elon responded 10 hours later that it was done.
Just incredible. pic.twitter.com/d2gnZzSFdZ
— Pomp 🌪 (@APompliano) February 26, 2022
Fedorov answered later, “Starlink terminals are on their way to Ukraine! We appreciate your support for Ukraine, @elonmusk, and everyone else!”
“Thank you, we appreciate it,” the Ukrainian government tweeted.
“Starlink is an international provider of low-latency, high-speed broadband internet,” the business added.
“Through the use of modern satellites in an earth orbit, Starlink enables video conversations, online gaming, broadcasting, and other high-bandwidth activities that were previously impossible with satellite internet.”
“Starlink is well suited for places with inconsistent or completely unavailable connectivity,” the business claimed. “Starlink is used by people throughout the world to receive access to education, healthcare, and even communications assistance during natural disasters.”
The Ukrainian government’s appeal comes after Russian President Vladimir Putin launched a full-fledged invasion of Ukraine late this week, including fierce fighting in nearly all of the country’s major cities.
Then Call to Arms
Volodymyr Zelensky, Ukraine’s president, reportedly refused to flee the country’s capital city of Kyiv as Russian armed units attacked the city and its environs.
According to a senior American intelligence officer familiar with the interaction between US officials and Zelensky, when he was purportedly requested to evacuate, Zelensky said, “The war is here. I require weapons, not a ride.”
“Anyone who wishes to come here and protect our country is welcome to do so, and we will provide you with weaponry,” Zelensky told the press on Saturday. “Whoever protects will be exalted.”
Earlier this week, Zelensky made the same offer, declaring in a statement, “We would hand guns to everyone who wishes to defend the country. Prepare to demonstrate your support for Ukraine in the squares of our cities.”
“We will eliminate sanctions against any Ukrainian people who are prepared to protect our country with weapons in hand as part of territorial defense,” Zelenksy stated.
NATO launched the NATO Response Force for the first time on Friday, mobilizing thousands of soldiers to join the multinational force comprised of land, air, sea, and special operations forces.
NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg, during a press conference on Friday, cautioned that Putin’s objectives are not restricted to Ukraine.
