Starlink’s Internet Is Keeping 150,000 Ukrainians In War-Torn Areas Connected
Two men handling Starlink internet equipment boxes in Ukraine. Photo 244608331 © Oleksii Kononenko | Dreamstime.com
In the flurry of tech affairs, Elon Musk’s Starlink satellite internet network, run by his SpaceX company, has done some good in maintaining the peace between Ukrainians amid the war with Russia.
Parts of Ukraine—the Southern and Eastern regions, in particular—were quickly struck by connectivity issues when Russia invaded the country. In an urgent call for help, Ukrainian vice prime minister Mykhailo Fedorov sent out a tweet to Musk in February, urging for assistance “while you try to colonize Mars” and “Russia [tries] to occupy Ukraine.”
“We ask you to provide Ukraine with Starlink stations and to address sane Russians to stand,” Fedorov continued.
In response, Starlink sent over some terminals, reportedly subsidized by the US government. Its technology is powered by a constellation of satellites in low orbit, which enable high-speed broadband service in out-of-reach zones.
The Ukrainian minister was pleased to report on Twitter that Starlink’s internet network has brought connectivity to some 150,000 daily users.
He added that the terminals have been imperative in maintaining the country’s infrastructure and rebuilding damaged territories.
Rough data on Starlink's usage: around 150K active users per day. This is crucial support for Ukraine's infrastructure and restoring the destroyed territories. Ukraine will stay connected no matter what. pic.twitter.com/XWjyxPQJyX
— Mykhailo Fedorov (@FedorovMykhailo) May 2, 2022
