Billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk made headlines this past Saturday for his response to the plea from the Ukrainian government to initialize SpaceX’s Starlink satellite broadband services in the country so that the Ukrainian people could still have access to the internet as Russian soldiers invade and disable their various infrastructures.
Musk put forth his statements across social media in response to a post from the Vice Prime Minister of Ukraine, Mykhailo Fedorov, who stated: “@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.”
“Starlink service is now active in Ukraine,” declared Musk. “More terminals en route.”
This sparked a multitude of responses all across social media. The most notable of which include:
- Ukraine: “Thanx, appreciate it.”
- Scott Gilmore, magazine editor: “SpaceX donating starlink terminals means it’s now impossible for Russia to shut down the internet. This keeps Pres Zelenskyy connected to Ukrainians and keeps Ukrainians connected to the world. It’s a monumental boon to their fight.”
- Robert C. O’Brien, former national security adviser: “I said in my remarks to @CPAC today that @elonmusk is one of the reasons America will ultimately prevail against #Russia and #China. Below is Exhibit A in support of my argument. #Ukraine #Freedom”
- Mykhailo Fedorov, Vice Prime Minister of Ukraine: “Starlink terminals are coming to Ukraine! Thank you @elonmusk , thank you everyone, who supported Ukraine!”
- Payton Alexander, attorney: “The people of Ukraine, an embattled war-torn country, will now receive high speed, low latency, broadband internet from space. Russia cannot touch it.”
- Klon Kitchen, AEI senior fellow: “Awesome. Also, a major example of how the national security burden is now shared with the private sector in fundamental and powerful ways. Well done @elonmusk (but we should talk about China).”
- Brendan Carr, FCC Commissioner: “Great to see! America has a strategic interest in allied enterprises beaming Internet abroad—from Cuba to Afghanistan & now Ukraine. Bills introduced last year by @marcorubio @SenRickScott @RepMariaSalazar would ensure the U.S. backs those efforts. Let’s pass those bills ASAP.”
- Scott Adams, political commentator: “Pushes a button and changes the course of history.”
- Bel Trew, reporter: “Well this is quite something. One of the biggest fears among Ukrainians I’ve been speaking to is being completely cut off from the world while the worst attacks happens.”
- Mike Cernovich, political commentator: “Elon Musk is Iron Man. The West sees all conflict now as a 3 act comic book movie.”
- Maye Musk, Elon Musk’s mother: “@elonmusk Wonderful! #ProudMom #StopTheWar #Ukraine.”
“Starlink provides high-speed, low-latency broadband internet across the globe. Within each coverage area, orders are fulfilled on a first-come, first-served basis,” claims the company. “Using advanced satellites in a low orbit, Starlink enables video calls, online gaming, streaming, and other high data rate activities that historically have not been possible with satellite internet.”
“Starlink is ideally suited for areas where connectivity has been unreliable or completely unavailable,” continued the company. “People across the globe are using Starlink to gain access to education, health services and even communications support during natural disasters.”