Ukraine lost access to 1300 Starlink terminals

Ukraine has lost access to 1,300 Starlink terminals because it was unable to pay the amount required for their operation.

According to CNN, the Ukrainian army had to deal with a partial internet shutdown on October 24 after 1,300 Starlink terminals were shut down due to funding issues. The outage comes as talks between SpaceX and the US Department of Defense continue despite Elon Musk saying the company will continue to pay bills for using Starlink in the country.

Ukraine lost access to 1300 Starlink terminals

“Negotiations are ongoing. Everyone in the building knows we’re going to pay them,”a Pentagon spokesman said, adding that the Defense Department wants it all in writing “because we’re afraid he’ll change his mind.”

In September, SpaceX sent a letter to the Pentagon asking the Department of Defense to cover the costs associated with Ukraine’s use of the Starlink service. On October 15, after much outcry, Elon Musk appeared to reverse his decision to seek help from the US government: “Fed up… we will just provide what the Ukrainian government needs for free,” he tweeted, and shortly after The New York Times. Financial Times that the company will do so “until further notice”.

being unable to pay the amount requested for their operation

Last month’s power outage was a “huge problem”for the Ukrainian military, according to CNN. In March, the country purchased 1,300 terminals from a British company. SpaceX is reportedly charging Ukraine $2,500 a month to keep each terminal running. In the end, the country could no longer afford to pay the $3.25 million a month and requested financial assistance from the British Ministry of Defence. After some discussion, both sides agreed to prioritize other military spending.

“We maintain a number of terminals that are of direct tactical interest to the Ukrainian military in their fight to repel a Russian invasion,” a British official told CNN. “We are reviewing and prioritizing all requests in terms of the impact these donations can have in helping Ukraine protect its people from Putin’s unfortunate invasion.”

Even if SpaceX and the US Department of Defense sign an agreement, no one knows if the Pentagon will gain more control over the Starlink service in Ukraine. The American company is currently deciding where Ukrainian troops can use the terminals.