Mykhailo Fedorov, Ukraine’s vice prime minister and Minister of Digital Transformation, pleaded with the Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk for help on Saturday. Hours later Elon Musk tweeted out that the Starlink satellite internet system operated by SpaceX is now available.
Starlink service is now active in Ukraine. More terminals en route.
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) February 26, 2022
And the Ukrainian government with an internet service disrupted by the invasion will get Starlink service. And more terminals are “en-route.”
Internet monitor NetBlocks said Ukraine had been experiencing “significant disruptions to internet service” since Thursday, when Russia launched its military operations in the country. Connectivity is particularly impacted in the southern and eastern parts of Ukraine.
Musk and SpaceX recently donated 50 satellite terminals to restore internet service in the Pacific Island nation of Tonga, whose network was knocked out by a tsunami this year following a volcanic eruption.
Starlink operates a constellation of more than 2,000 satellites that aim to provide internet access across the planet. And Friday another 50 satellites were sent into low orbit space.
Fedorov from Ukraine pleas for help from Tech Giants
Ukraine is desperately attempting to hold off a huge Russian invasion. And it only has a small army and is easily outgunned.
