– Starlink is a “game changer” here in Ukraine. But all the terminals I have seen have either been bought by the military themselves or by volunteers at market prices, says Dimko Zhluktenko.
Since last spring, Elon Musk’s space company Space X has provided parts of Ukraine with internet through the Starlink satellite network.
Starlink consists of more than 3,000 satellites in low orbit that make it possible to connect to the Internet – even when all other connections are broken.
“Starlink has been absolutely necessary because the Russians have attacked Ukraine’s communications network,” Dimitri Alperovitch, co-founder of the Silverado Policy Accelerator think tank, told CNN.
Delivers Starlink to the front
24-year-old Dimko Zhluktenko from the city of Lviv runs the charity Dzygas paw. He started the organization, which he named after his dog, on the day the war broke out.
He purchases technological products and uniforms which he then donates to combatants. So far he has delivered 100 Starlink terminals to the front. Now he is collecting money for another 100 pieces.
– I buy them in Poland like any other person and drive them into Ukraine.
Urged the Pentagon to pick up the cost
Elon Musk has stated that Space X donated about 25,000 Starlink terminals to Ukraine.
In October, he wrote on Twitter that “the operation has cost Space X $80 million and will exceed $100 million by the end of the year” while calling on the Pentagon to cover the cost.
Since then, Musk has said that Space X will continue to pay the bills. But Dimko Zhluktenko questions Musk’s actions and says he believes that most terminals in Ukraine were purchased at market prices.
– I have not seen any Starlink donated by Space X or the government. All the terminals I’ve seen have either been bought by the military themselves or by volunteers. The military often pay the subscription themselves. That’s why I was surprised when Elon Musk said that he is making such big losses on this.
Musk’s popularity in Ukraine has fallen since he proposed a peace settlement that would include, among other things, that Russia would be allowed to keep Crimea, that Ukraine would remain neutral and that the illegal referendums on occupied land would be redone under UN control.
More about Elon Musk in Foreign Office: The savior in SVT Play from 19.30 or 22.00 in SVT2.