The Russian invasion of Ukraine has caused internet services there to be disrupted, according to CEO Musk.
The service is active in Ukraine, according to Musk.
Starlink service is now active in Ukraine. More terminals en route.
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) February 26, 2022
This was in response to Mykhailo Fedorov, the Vice Prime Minister of Ukraine and the country's Minister for Digital Transformation, who asked tech companies to take a stand against the Russian invasion.
Fedorov wrote "@elonmusk, while you try to colonize Mars, Russia try to occupy Ukraine!" We want you to provide Starlink stations for Ukraine and to address Russians who are crazy.
Fedorov used social media to request that Visa and Mastercard block services with Russia, as well as to request that Facebook and Instagram ban access to their sites from Russia.
There have been reports of internet access being cut off in the country during the Russian invasion, with the southern and eastern parts of the country being particularly affected. The main provider in Ukraine, Giga Trans, had dropped as low as 20% of normal levels.
Satellite internet can be used from remote regions, but it requires a special dish. The hardware which allows access to Starlink service will be provided to Ukraine according to Musk. It's not clear if there are any terminals in Ukraine that can give immediate access.
In the aftermath of the massive eruption of a volcano in Tonga, which caused wild-spread devastation and cut off internet access, the company provided a similar service. The island nation was given 50 Starlink terminals by the company to provide free internet access to those in remote villages.
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