SpaceX’s Internet service Starlink is available in Ukraine and more terminals are being shipped to the country, according to the company’s CEO, Elon Musk.
The conflict-hit nation has seen internet disruption with Russian troops advancing and missiles hitting key infrastructure. Monitoring group Netblox said on Thursday that disruptions had been tracked across much of Ukraine, including the capital Kiev.
On Saturday, Musk was asked by a Ukrainian government official if he would provide the country with more of his company’s Starlink stations.
In a Tweet, Ukraine’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Digital Transformation Mykhailo Fedorov said
“Elon is trying to colonize Mars, Russia is trying to occupy Ukraine! While your rockets land successfully – Russian rockets attack Ukrainian civilian people! We asked to provide you with the Starlink station to Ukraine. And ask the wiser Russians to stand up to address.”
Musk responded via Twitter late Saturday: “Starlink service is now active in Ukraine. More terminals en route.”
Starlink wants to provide the world with faster Internet, starting with improving Internet access in parts of the world that are not currently served by broadband providers.
What is Starlink?
Starlink allows people to connect to the Internet through a satellite dish that is placed on or near a person’s property. SpaceX’s Starlink deliveres internet to the dish via a network of Starlink satellites that have been placed in orbit by SpaceX and ground stations.