Everyone knows what’s going on with Russia and Ukraine, and how it has impacted the whole world. At the brink of being crippled, Ukraine is reaching out for help even for basic modern-day necessities like the internet. The country’s Minister of Digital Transformation tweeted to Elon Musk to activate the Starlink satellite internet services there, and Musk acted on it within 12 hours.

Ukraine’s Vice Prime Minister and Minister of Digital Transformation, Mykhailo Fedorov, sent out an SOS to Elon Musk about internet disruptions happening in the country after the Russian invasion. Fedorov tweeted: “@elonmusk , while 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.” Around 11 hours later, Elon Musk replied to the tweet saying, “Starlink service is now active in Ukraine. More terminals en route.”

For the uninitiated, Ukraine is facing significant disruptions in internet services ever since the Russian invasion. It wouldn’t be completely absurd to say that the country could be cut off digitally and could be off the grid if this continues. To ensure that doesn’t happen, Ukraine’s Minister of Digital Transformation tweeted Musk for the Starlink services to be activated in the country.

Starlink broadband service is owned and operated by SpaceX. It provides satellite internet coverage all around the world. The constellation consists of more than 2,000 small satellites in the earth’s orbit that provide internet directly to the user. At places where you can’t hardwire or have ground stations, the Starlink service comes as a blessing. Should Russia disrupt Ukraine’s services completely, Starlink services will make sure Ukraine isn’t completely cut off from the world.

Musk has been stamping his authority across various fields all around the world. Such moves from an influential person like him are bound to draw attention. It’s only a matter of time before this stirs up a controversy and blows up into something big.

Our thoughts go out to every person affected by the crisis.

FAQ

Q: What Is Starlink Service?

{{Starlink broadband service is owned and operated by SpaceX. It provides satellite internet coverage all around the world.}} The constellation consists of more than 2,000 small satellites in the earth’s orbit that provide internet directly to the user. At places where you can’t hardwire or have ground stations, the Starlink service comes as a blessing.