Elon Musk said on Saturday that his space company, SpaceX, will continue to fund Starlink satellite Internet service in War-torn Ukraine, one day after tech And the mogul suggested that he can no longer pay for The project.
Starlink, constellation of more from 3000 small satellites in Low Earth Orbit, has been vital to Ukraine’s communications as it is battles Russia.
But Musk has found himself involved of late in public quarrels with Ukrainian leaders who They were angry with his controversial proposals for De-escalation of the conflict, which included recognition of Russian sovereignty over Crimea.
“Hell with That, “Musk, the world’s richest man in the world, wrote on Twitter.
“Even though Starlink still loses money Other companies get billions of $ taxpayers, we will just Continue to fund Ukrainian government projects for Free.”
in series of On Twitter on Friday, Musk detailed the logistics of The operation, she said, cost SpaceX nearly $20 million a month, and suggested the company could not fund it indefinitely.
Meanwhile, the United States military Confirmed that he was in contact with Billionaire company about financing for The key network.
“SpaceX is not asking for compensation past expenses, but also The list cannot be funded system indefinitely *and *send several thousand more Terminals that use data up to 100 times that of normal families,” he said on Friday.
“This is unreasonable”.
Pentagon funding on cards?
SpaceX has donated nearly 25,000 ground stations to Ukraine, according to updated The number given by Musk last week.
he is says its operation already cost SpaceX $ 80 million, and that total Expected to exceed $100 million by the end of The year.
musk also It seems confirm CNN report says he wrote to the Pentagon warning that’s his financial Contributions will expire, and that military Will be need to pay the bill.
According to CNN, SpaceX’s numbers have been shared with The Pentagon show about 85% of The first 20,000 stations in Ukraine paid at least in part of countries Such as the United States, Poland or other entities that also Pay for about 30% of Internet connection.
The Pentagon’s deputy press secretary Sabrina Singh said Friday that the Pentagon is in Call with Musk about financing issuesaying it had “received correspondence from SpaceX about funding of…their satellite communications product in Ukraine”.
It’s been musk lately in Scrimmage with Ukrainian officials, including President Volodymyr Zelensky, after proposing a peace deal that includes re-holding controversial referendums in Territories occupied by Russia in Ukraine – an idea welcomed by Moscow.
a senior The Ukrainian President’s aide, Mikhailo Podolyak, acknowledged the importance of starlink in Tweet on Friday.
Whether you like it or not, help @elonmusk us Survive more critical moments of War,” Podolak wrote, adding that Ukraine “will find a solution to keep #Starlink running.” “
