Elon Musk Sends Starlink Terminals To Ukraine Amid Russian Invasion

Ukraine's vice prime minister Mykhailo Fedorov has thanked Elon Musk after a shipment of Starlink terminals arrived in the country.

Fedorov put out an appeal to the billionaire entrepreneur asking that he set Ukraine up with Starlink, which aims to provide high speed broadband through a network of terminals, which are essentially like small satellite dishes.

As Russia invades Ukraine and launches airstrikes, internet signal could be cut off or intercepted, jeopardising clear and reliable communication - hence Fedorov felt Starlink could be an invaluable asset.

He 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."

Musk replied: "Starlink service is now active in Ukraine. More terminals en route."

And the SpaceX founder was true to his word, with Federov sharing a photo of the shipment and thanking Musk last night (Monday 28 February).

Commenting on the tweet, Musk responded: "You are most welcome."

On Sunday evening, Ukraine's president Volodymyr Zelenskyy warned Boris Johnson that the next 24 hours would be 'critical' for his country, and the UK's Ministry of Defence (MoD) has reported this morning that Russia's advance on Kyiv has made little progress over the last day.

However, the MoD added that a change of tack from the Russians was likely to prompt an increase in civilian casualties.

The MoD tweeted: "The Russian advance on Kyiv has made little progress over the past 24 hours probably as a result of continuing logistical difficulties.

"Russian forces have increased their use of artillery north of Kyiv and in vicinities of Kharkiv and Chernihiv.

"The use of heavy artillery in densely populated urban areas greatly increases the risk of civilian casualties.

"Russia has failed to gain control of the airspace over Ukraine prompting a shift to night operations in an attempt to reduce their losses."

Britain's UN ambassador, Dame Barbara Woodward, warned at an emergency meeting of the Security Council that Ukraine is on the brink of 'humanitarian catastrophe'.

She said: "As a result of President Putin's decision to launch a full-scale invasion of Ukraine, a country of 44 million people is now on the brink of humanitarian catastrophe.

"Missiles have rained down on Kharkiv, with cluster munitions hitting residential areas and injuring residents. Disruption to supply chains has caused food shortages in Kramatorsk.

"The reckless bombing of an oil depot in Vasylkiv, has unleashed toxic fumes in nearby communities.

"Violence in Kyiv has forced people to seek refuge underground, with many thousands, including the elderly and disabled, unable to evacuate."

If you would like to donate to the Red Cross Emergency Appeal, which will help provide food, medicines and basic medical supplies, shelter and water to those in Ukraine, click here for more information.

Featured Image Credit: Twitter/Alamy

Topics: World News, Ukraine, Elon Musk, Technology

Jake Massey

Jake Massey is a journalist at LADbible. He graduated from Newcastle University, where he learnt a bit about media and a lot about living without heating. After spending a few years in Australia and New Zealand, Jake secured a role at an obscure radio station in Norwich, inadvertently becoming a real-life Alan Partridge in the process. From there, Jake became a reporter at the Eastern Daily Press. Jake enjoys playing football, listening to music and writing about himself in the third person.

@jakesmassey