From garages and bunkers, Ukrainian citizens can continue to inform themselves on the Internet, an essential tool for knowing enemy advances and coordinating resistance. However, in some areas hit by the assaults of the Russian army, Internet access is cut off. Billionaire and space lover Elon Musk, to help Ukraine, deployed his Starlink satellites.
Ukraine turns to ‘big tech’ for support
On Twitter, Ukrainian Deputy Prime Minister Mykhailo Fedorov urged the Tesla boss to get involved in the dispute: ” While you are trying to colonize Mars, Russia is trying to occupy Ukraine. When your rockets successfully land from space, Russian rockets attack Ukrainian civilians! We ask you to provide Ukraine with Starlink stations and invite sane Russians to stand up. “, he writes.
@elonmuskwhile you try to colonize Mars — Russia try to occupy Ukraine! While your rockets successfully land from space — Russian rockets attack Ukrainian civil people! We ask you to provide Ukraine with Starlink stations and to address sane Russians to stand.
— Mykhailo Fedorov (@FedorovMykhailo) February 26, 2022
On the night of Saturday February 26 to Sunday February 27, Elon Musk reacted to this call by announcing that the Starlink service was now in operation in Ukraine and that other terminals were on the way. According to the Ukrainian minister, Elon Musk’s Starlink terminal shipment arrived on Monday, February 28, 2022, photo supporting.
Enough satellites to do without ground stations
A doubt remained as to the capacity of Starlink to provide Internet in Ukraine, without resorting to terrestrial terminals. Last Friday, Starlink dispelled those fears by announcing a second shipment of around 50 Starlink satellites, intended to provide connection to customers around the world, bypassing terrestrial infrastructure.