According to a US media report, Elon Musk’s space company, SpaceX, has warned that it may no longer be able to bear the costs of its satellite internet service in Ukraine, which is vital to the war effort. The company apparently wrote in a letter to the US Department of Defense in September to cover the costs of using Starlink by the Ukrainian government and its military.
“We are unable to donate more receiving equipment to Ukraine or fund the existing terminals indefinitely,” CNN quoted as quoted from the company’s letter to the Pentagon on Thursday evening (local time).
According to SpaceX, the cost is $120 million
SpaceX’s letter also states that the operation will cost more than $120 million by the end of the year. Over the next 12 months, that will be nearly $400 million. In July, Ukraine’s Supreme Commander Valeryi Zalushnyi requested nearly 8,000 additional Starlink terminals, CNN wrote, citing additional documents.
Central means of communication since the beginning of the war
A few days after the Russian war of aggression began in late February, tech billionaire Musk activated his Starlink service in Ukraine and later supplied the necessary receiver systems. The system establishes high-speed internet connections via its own satellites. In areas where there is no longer any access to mobile communications and the internet due to the destroyed infrastructure, it serves both civilians and the Ukrainian military as a central means of communication.
Mysterious Starlink Failures on the Front Line
According to a report in the Financial Times, Ukrainian troops recently reported failures of Starlink devices on the frontline. The system therefore plays a central role in the Ukrainian army’s counter-offensive, which has been going on for weeks.
In response, Musk tweeted, “What happens on the battlefield is confidential.” He also caused a stir in early October with a proposal to cede Ukraine to Russia in Crimea and a controlled referendum for other areas in the south and east of the country. UN to be held.
Source: Krone
I’m Wayne Wickman, a professional journalist and author for Today Times Live. My specialty is covering global news and current events, offering readers a unique perspective on the world’s most pressing issues. I’m passionate about storytelling and helping people stay informed on the goings-on of our planet.
