Musk asks U.S. government to take over funding for Ukraine’s satellite network

The U.S. Department of Defense has received requests from SpaceX and Tesla founder Elon Musk to take over funding for its satellite network, which has provided Ukrainian forces with a vital battleground since the war with Russia began communication.

U.S. officials said the issue had been discussed at the meeting and that top leaders were weighing the request.

Pentagon spokeswoman Sabrina Singer said: “We can confirm that the department received a letter from SpaceX regarding funding for their satellite communications product Starlink in Ukraine. We will be in communication with SpaceX on this and other topics. .”

Musk began sending Starlink satellite dishes to Ukraine just days after Russia invaded in February. On February 28, Ukraine’s Deputy Prime Minister Mykhailo Fedorov tweeted a photo of the first Starlink kits in the back of a truck.

“You’re welcome,” Musk replied on Twitter.

His generosity was praised by Ukrainians and seen as a game-changer for war tactics – the Russians could try to cut off Ukraine’s ground communications, but not in space.

The Starlink system of more than 2,200 low-orbit satellites provides broadband Internet to more than 150,000 Ukrainian ground stations. Earlier on Friday, Musk tweeted that SpaceX is spending $20 million a month to support Ukraine’s communications needs.

In addition to terminals, he tweeted that the company must create, launch, maintain and replenish satellites and ground stations.

The important role of Starlink satellite internet in Ukraine’s defense cannot be overemphasized.

For example, it has assisted front-line reconnaissance drone operators in shelling critical Russian assets.

On Friday, a senior military official made it clear that the U.S. believes the system has proven to be very effective on the battlefield.

Ukraine’s presidential adviser Mikhail Podoljak said in a tweet Friday that Ukraine will find a solution to keep Starlink working.

“Tell me the truth. Like it or not, @elonmusk has helped us through our most critical moments of war. Businesses have the right to make their own strategy,” he tweeted. “We expect the company to provide a stable connection until negotiations are concluded.”

Responding to multiple questions at the briefing, Singer said the Pentagon was working with Ukraine’s Defense Ministry. “We know there is a need, and (satellite communications) capabilities … are necessary, and we want to be able to ensure stable communications between the Ukrainian military and Ukraine.”

The world’s richest man’s call for the Pentagon to take over the hundreds of millions of dollars he says the system is costing comes after a Twitter war between Mr. Musk and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. In an overnight tweet, Mr Musk alluded to the friction, suggesting it could influence his decision to end the company’s generosity in funding the system.

In a Twitter exchange last week, Musk argued that in order to achieve peace, Russia should be allowed to keep the Crimean peninsula it captured in 2014. He also said that Ukraine should adopt a neutral position and abandon its application to join NATO.

He also launched a Twitter poll asking whether “the will of the people” should decide whether the occupied territories remain part of Ukraine or Russia.

In a sarcastic response, Mr Zelensky tweeted a poll of his own asking “Which Elon Musk do you prefer?” – “Pro-Ukraine” or “Pro-Russian” .

Mr. Musk replied to Mr. Zelensky: “I am still very pro-Ukraine, but I believe that a massive escalation of the war will do huge damage to Ukraine and the world.”