The existing internet service in Ukraine has been disrupted, particularly in the southern and eastern parts of the country where fighting has been heaviest due to the ongoing war with Russia. During times like these, if the internet is not readily available, it becomes really difficult to tell the world what's really going on in Ukraine, despite whatever Russia claims. Internet is the source that people have which they can use to update real-time situations to the world. During this time, Ukraine's vice prime minister asked Elon Musk to provide Ukraine with Starlink stations through a tweet, "@elonmusk, while you try to colonize Mars – Russia try to occupy Ukraine! While your rockets successfully land from space – Russian rockets attack Ukrainian civil people! We ask you to provide Ukraine with Starlink stations and to address sane Russians to stand." To which Elon Musk replied, "Starlink service is now active in Ukraine, More terminals en route." While extremely costly to deploy, satellite technology can provide internet for people who live in rural or hard-to-serve places where fiber-optic cables and cell towers do not reach. While this may not be exactly the good news the people of Ukraine were looking for, this is something that will definitely help the people.
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2022/2/27/elon-musk-starlink-internet-service-ukraine-russian-invasion
I think the help from Elon will play a tremendous role in keeping the media and rest of the world up to date on Russia's invasion of Ukraine. I think we could see this effect how world leaders will make decisions as they will be able to stay up to date, giving them more information when considering economic action and sanctions.
ReplyDeleteMy first thought when I saw the tweet was that it would be a weak internet signal if there was rain or any natural disaster just as you said. His service is extremely beneficial for the people to get news out, but I believe that if Elon continues to aid Ukraine and continue to be very public about his moves then he will become a target of Putin.
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