Elon Musk activates Starlink in Ukraine amid internet disruption

By ALAO ABIODUN

SpaceX founder Elon Musk has informed his company’s Starlink satellites have become active in Ukraine amid Russian military’s continued invasion.

The satellite activation will help alleviate some of the connectivity challenges Ukraine is facing amid the Russia invasion.

According to internet monitor NetBlocks, internet service has been disrupted in several cities throughout Ukraine, including Kyiv, Mariupol, Kharkiv and Kherson.

Checks by The Nation show Starlink is a network of about 2,000 satellites in low earth orbit that provide high-speed broadband internet by connecting with user terminals around the globe.

It can be deployed quickly in hard-to-reach areas and disaster situations.

Ukrainian Vice Prime Minister Mykhailo Fedorov, had appealed to Musk to activate the service, saying that while his “rockets successfully land from space — Russian rockets attack Ukrainian civil people”.

Musk responded to the tweet saying Starlink is now active in the eastern European country and more terminals are on the way. (The Nation)