Elon Musk set to pull Starlink internet support for Ukraine

Hawthorne, California - Elon Musk's company SpaceX has been setting up Starlink satellite internet terminals around Ukraine, but its (semi)charitable effort is seemingly coming to an end.

Elon Musk and his company SpaceX are having trouble funding their Starlink internet service in Ukraine, and are now asking for help from the Pentagon.
Elon Musk and his company SpaceX are having trouble funding their Starlink internet service in Ukraine, and are now asking for help from the Pentagon.  © HANNIBAL HANSCHKE / POOL / AFP

According to CNN, SpaceX sent a letter to the Pentagon last month saying it can no longer afford to provide the service to Ukraine, and requested the Pentagon take over funding the project.

"We are not in a position to further donate terminals to Ukraine, or fund the existing terminals for an indefinite period of time," the letter read.

The company has provided 20,000 satellite units to Ukraine so far, and has become an essential means of communication for the country's military as they continue to fight against Russia's invasion.

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In a separate cover letter, the company said it faces "terribly difficult decisions" as it's unable to fund and provide the services requested by Ukrainian General Valerii Zaluzhniy, who asked Musk for 8,000 more units back in July.

Last Friday, Musk claimed on Twitter that the operation has cost SpaceX $80 million, adding it will "exceed $100 [million] by end of year."

But there are signs that this isn't all about the money. The Tesla CEO recently angered Ukrainian officials by presenting his own peace plan for the Ukraine war, which included Crimea being permantly ceded to Russia.

Andrij Melnyk, Ukrainian ambassador to Germany, left diplomacy aside in his response: "F*** off is my very diplomatic reply to you. The only outcome ist [sic] that now no Ukrainian will EVER buy your f…ing tesla crap. So good luck to you,"

When the connection between Melnyk's insult and SpaceX's waning support were pointed out to him on Friday, Musk tweeted: "We're just following his recommendation," along with a shrug emoji.

Cover photo: HANNIBAL HANSCHKE / POOL / AFP

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