Satellite internet from Starlink terminals, which SpaceX provides to Ukrainians “never intended to be used for military action” said Gwynne Shotwell, president and chief operating officer of SpaceX, at a conference held in Washington on Wednesday.
However, the Ukrainians used it unintentionally and not part of any deal
– she emphasized
Later, in an interview with journalists, Shotwell clarifiedthat she meant reports that the Ukrainian military was using Starlinks to control drones.
We know that the military uses them for communication and we have no problem with that, but it was never our intention to use them for offensive purposes
Shotwell said.
At the same time, she stated that SpaceX could, and has already taken, actions that will prevent the Ukrainian military from using Starlinks for military purposes. Shotwell explained that using Starlins to control drones is outside the scope of the agreement SpaceX signed with the Ukrainian government.
This one was about “humanitarian purposes”, such as providing internet to hospitals, banks and ordinary Ukrainians affected by the Russian invasion.
In January this year Ukrainian Minister for Digital Transformation, Mykhailo Fedorov, announced that there are already 30,000 operating in Ukraine. Starlink terminals, which are an important part of the critical infrastructure of the state.
Elon Musk has made Starlinks available to Ukraine. And then he billed
In February 2022, after Russia’s barbaric attack on Ukraine, SpaceX made the Starlink satellite network available to the inhabitants of our eastern neighbor. She did it at the request of Mykhailo Fedorov.
In October, however, Elon Musk stated that his company was unable to continue paying for Starlinks for Ukraine. The billionaire informed the US government that if he wants his satellite internet to continue working in Ukraine, the Pentagon will have to finance the project.
We are unable to further transfer terminals to Ukraine or finance existing terminals for an indefinite period
SpaceX’s sales director wrote in a letter to the Pentagon.
Then the billionaire changed his mind and posted on social media that SpaceX will continue to finance the operation of the Starlink satellite communication system in Ukraine.
To hell with it! Even though Starlink continues to lose millions and other companies get billions of taxpayer money, we will continue to fund the government of Ukraine for free
– wrote Elon Musk.
***
Support the PCPM Foundation’s collection to help the victims of the earthquake in Turkey and Syria – by or by .
Source: Gazeta
Mabel is a talented author and journalist with a passion for all things technology. As an experienced writer for the 247 News Agency, she has established a reputation for her in-depth reporting and expert analysis on the latest developments in the tech industry.
