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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla and SpaceX, have been connected through Starlink. President Zelensky announced that he had a video call with Musk on the 5th (local time) and discussed ways to support Starlink.
“I spoke with Elon Musk,” Zelensky said. “I would like to thank Musk for his support of Ukraine with his words and deeds.” “Next week we will get additional support for the Star Link system for destroyed cities,” he explained. “We also discussed possible space projects (with Musk), of course, we’ll talk about it after the war is over,” he said.
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Immediately after the Russian invasion on the 24th of last month, the Ukrainian government requested aid from all over the world. He also turned to a specific individual, not the state, for help, and that was Elon Musk. Ukraine’s Deputy Prime Minister Mikhail Fedorov directly mentioned Musk on the 26th and begged, “I ask Ukraine to provide Starlink, so that Ukraine can fight against mad Russians.”
At that time, Ukraine was suffering from internet network failures. Anxiety and confusion have increased as Russia paralyzed communications with strikes at key facilities and cyberattacks.
Ukraine has hoped for SpaceX’s Internet business, Starlink. Starlink is a project that provides Internet networks through small cluster satellites. Musk thinks that if you use the space internet, you can use the internet even in the Amazon or the Sahara. SpaceX has launched more than 2,000 satellites so far, and plans to launch an additional 12,000 by 2027.
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In Ukraine’s ‘SOS’, Musk took action in 10 hours. “Starlink has opened in Ukraine, and more terminals are being opened,” Musk said. When countries are tapping the calculator over the diplomatic benefits of participating in Russia’s sanctions, companies have reached out to help faster than the state.
Since then, thanks to Musk have continued in Ukraine. On the 28th of last month, Deputy Prime Minister Fedorov unveiled a logistics truck full of Starlink terminals, saying, “Starlink has arrived. Thank you, Elon Musk.” On the 2nd, he explained, “Thanks to Star Link, I was able to connect to the outside and saved lives in emergency services.”
Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klicichko also gave a thumbs up in front of the plate-shaped Starlink terminal that arrived in Kiev. Mayor Klitschko said the Starlink terminals would be used to defend the capital and critical infrastructure.
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Musk also sent his support to Ukraine again. Musk tweeted on the 5th, “Stay strong, Ukraine.”
Starlink also served as a stepping stone between President Zelensky and Musk. President Zelensky, who met Musk through a video call on the 5th, said, “Let’s meet in Ukraine, where the war is over. I will invite you to Ukraine. Welcome.” Musk replied, “That’s a good idea. I look forward to that day, too, when I visit Ukraine.”
Musk, however, said that the Starlink satellite internet service would not stop broadcasting from Russian media. On the same day, Musk tweeted, “I’ve been asked by some governments (not Ukraine) to block the transmission of Russian news, but Starlink won’t do that unless they point a gun at them.” He added, “I’m sorry that I grew up with an absolutist freedom of the press.”
By Kwon Yoon-hee, staff reporter heeya@seoul.co.kr