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Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky had a phone call with billionaire Tesla, SpaceX and Starlink founder Elon Musk and has revealed what happened on that call.
“Talked to @elonmusk. I’m grateful to him for supporting Ukraine with words and deeds,” the Ukrainian president said in a tweet. “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.
— Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) March 5, 2022
Musk did not say anything in response to the tweet but he did “like” it.
On Friday the world’s richest man also said that he had been asked by some governments to prevent Russian news from being disseminated on Starlink but said he was a “free speech absolutist” and would not do it.
“Starlink has been told by some governments (not Ukraine) to block Russian news sources. We will not do so unless at gunpoint. Sorry to be a free speech absolutist,” he said.
Musk has been involved in the war ever since he deployed Starlink terminals to help Ukraine communicate during the conflict, though he warned they could be the target of attacks.
“Important warning: Starlink is the only non-Russian communications system still working in some parts of Ukraine, so probability of being targeted is high,” he said in a tweet. “Please use with caution.”
Important warning: Starlink is the only non-Russian communications system still working in some parts of Ukraine, so probability of being targeted is high. Please use with caution.
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) March 3, 2022
A person, presumably from Ukraine, asked Musk how Starlink should be used.
“Hey @elonmusk any advice on how to use with caution? This is in regards to messages being sent using starlink?” the person said.
Hey @elonmusk any advice on how to use with caution? This is in regards to messages being sent using starlink?
— EddyisKongz.eth 🇺🇦 (@eddyiskongz) March 3, 2022
“Turn on Starlink only when needed and place antenna away as far away from people as possible,” the CEO said.
“Place light camouflage over antenna to avoid visual detection,” he said.
Place light camouflage over antenna to avoid visual detection
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) March 3, 2022
Another person asked, “Could Starlink also be under the threat of a cyberattack from Russia, like how Viasat was a few weeks ago?”
Could Starlink also be under the threat of a cyberattack from Russia, like how Viasat was a few weeks ago?
— Toby Li (@tobyliiiiiiiiii) March 3, 2022
“Almost all Viasat Ukraine user terminals were rendered permanently unusable by a Russian cyberattack on day of invasion, so … yes,” the CEO said.
Almost all Viasat Ukraine user terminals were rendered permanently unusable by a Russian cyberattack on day of invasion, so … yes
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) March 4, 2022
And another person asked if Starlink had any capability to stop it, to which Musk responded, “Game on.”
Game on
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) March 4, 2022
The CEO also replied to the Vice Prime Minister of Ukraine and Minister of Digital Transformation Mykhailo Fedorov who said, “@elonmusk @SpaceX @SpaceXStarlink many thx! Starlink keeps our cities connected and emergency services saving lives! With Russian attacks on our infra, we need generators to keep Starlinks & life-saving services online – ideas? @Honda @ChampionGen @westinghouse @DuroMaxPower.”
@elonmusk @SpaceX @SpaceXStarlink many thx! Starlink keeps our cities connected and emergency services saving lives!
With Russian attacks on our infra, we need generators to keep Starlinks & life-saving services online – ideas? @Honda @ChampionGen @westinghouse @DuroMaxPower pic.twitter.com/FkUZ6s08AO
— Mykhailo Fedorov (@FedorovMykhailo) March 2, 2022
“Updating software to reduce peak power consumption, so Starlink can be powered from car cigarette lighter. Mobile roaming enabled, so phased array antenna can maintain signal while on moving vehicle,” the CEO said.
Updating software to reduce peak power consumption, so Starlink can be powered from car cigarette lighter.
Mobile roaming enabled, so phased array antenna can maintain signal while on moving vehicle.
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) March 3, 2022
Musk announced on Saturday that Starlink was active in Ukraine and he was praised after he pitched in to help Ukraine and the nation, who thanked him for the world to see.
“Starlink — here,” Vice Prime Minister of Ukraine Mykhailo Fedorov said in a tweet with an attached picture of the Internet communications equipment. “Thanks, @elonmusk.”
“You are most welcome,” the billionaire responded.
You are most welcome
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) February 28, 2022
On Saturday, Musk said that SpaceX’s Starlink satellite broadband service was made available in Ukraine and said that more terminals were on the way.
The tweet from Musk came in response to a tweet from a tweet from Fedorov that said,: @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.”
Starlink service is now active in Ukraine. More terminals en route.
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) February 26, 2022
“Dear @elonmusk, Ukraine needs your support. Your stance and your actions matter. An appeal by our Minister of Digital Transformation here,” Ukraine said in its own tweet.
“Starlink service is now active in Ukraine,” Musk said. “More terminals en route.”
