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Ukraine has received a new shipment of 5,000 Starlink satellite internet terminals from Poland. These devices are intended to restore communication in the de-occupied regions, support the functioning of schools, medical facilities, and the energy sector, according to the Ministry of Digital Transformation of Ukraine.
“Thanks to agreements between the Ministry and partners, Ukraine already has around 47,000 Starlink terminals in operation. The majority of terminals, over 19,500, were received from Poland. Some of them were delivered to ‘Points of Unbreakability,’ enabling thousands of Ukrainians to access quality internet and stay connected even during blackouts,” the ministry reported.
Following the full-scale Russian invasion, the Starlink satellite internet system has become crucial for Ukraine in providing communication, especially in the face of Russian military aggression. Meanwhile, Elon Musk had previously emphasized that his technology should be used exclusively for peaceful purposes. He even ignored Ukraine’s request to activate internet near Crimea, thereby averting a potential attack on the Russian fleet in the fall of 2022.
In October 2022, Musk expressed concern on Twitter, stating that Starlink was losing approximately $20 million per month to sustain its services in Ukraine. He even threatened to discontinue the provision of free services in the war-affected areas. Ultimately, in June 2023, the U.S. Department of Defense announced an agreement with SpaceX regarding Starlink services for Ukraine, but the specific terms of the deal remained undisclosed.
In September, it was also revealed that Elon Musk decided to transfer control of part of the Starlink satellite communication network from his company, SpaceX, to the Pentagon for its use in the Ukraine-Russia war. This decision was made to avoid further responsibility for the network’s operations and its usage rules.
It’s worth noting that Elon Musk’s mother, Maye Musk, accuses U.S. President Joe Biden of obstructing her son’s efforts to make the world a better place. This accusation surfaced in response to a post by Brendan Carr, a representative of the Federal Communications Commission, who mentioned that several U.S. government agencies, along with his commission, took measures against Elon Musk.
Read also: Japan Provides Ukraine with $950 Million for Reconstruction and Social Protection
