The Ukrainian president said he was grateful to Musk for supporting his country with both ‘words and deeds’
President Volodymyr Zelensky has thanked Elon Musk for setting up his Starlink satellite internet service for “destroyed cities” in the country.
The Ukrainian president said he was “grateful” to the world’s richest man for supporting Ukraine with both “words and deeds,” as the Russian invasion continues.
Earlier this week, SpaceX’s Starlink satellites became operational over Ukraine, helping to provide citizens of besieged cities with internet, the Independent reports. Putin’s bombardment of cities across the country continues, with many left without internet and phone connection.
President Zelensky also confirmed that the Tesla founder would be sending more satellites to Ukraine, and that the pair had discussed possible space projects for the future.
In a tweet, the president wrote: “Talked to @elonmusk. I’m grateful to him for supporting Ukraine with words and deeds.
“Next week we will receive another batch of Starlink systems for destroyed cities. Discussed possible space projects. But I’ll talk about this after the war.”
Talked to @elonmusk. I’m grateful to him for supporting Ukraine with words and deeds. Next week we will receive another batch of Starlink systems for destroyed cities. Discussed possible space projects 🚀. But I’ll talk about this after the war.
— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) March 5, 2022
Starlink internet works by using satellites in low-orbit in space, as oppose to a fibre-optic cable system. People are then provided with a kit from SpaceX to access the signals beamed back to Earth by the satellite.
Vitali Klitschko, the mayor of Kyiv, said the Starlink systems would help support critical infrastructure in the capital, as well as aiding the city’s defence against oncoming Russian forces.
It is now 11 days since Russia began its invasion of Ukraine. On Sunday, the United Nations said that an estimated 1.5 million people have fled Ukraine.
10 days.
1.5 million people.
This is now the fastest growing refugee crisis since World War II.In the coming days millions more lives will be uprooted, unless there is an immediate end to this senseless conflict. pic.twitter.com/OmEcGeMRtS
— UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency (@Refugees) March 6, 2022
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