Elon Musk Destroyed Putin’s Disinformation Campaign Using Starlink Space Internet, US General Says

A United States Brigadier General who works closely with Starlink and SpaceX has praised the companies’ efforts to provide Internet connectivity to the Ukrainian people during the Russian invasion.

Elon Musk personally promised the delivery of Starlink terminals to Ukraine after Russian campaigns to hack and destroy existing Internet systems.

3

3

On February 26, two days after Vladimir Putin mobilized his army, a Ukrainian official tweeted:

“@elonmuskwhile trying to colonize Mars – Russia is trying to occupy Ukraine! While your missiles land successfully from space, Russian missiles are attacking Ukrainian civilians! We ask you to equip Ukraine with Starlink stations and call on sensible Russians to stand.”

Later that day, Musk replied, “The Starlink service is now active in Ukraine. More terminals on the way.”

Today, Ukrainians rely on Starlink to relay military intelligence, keep in touch with their families and stay abreast of world perceptions of the conflict.

Putin’s aggressive invasion of a sovereign nation has always depended on controlling the narrative in both Ukraine and Russia.

But Starlink has provided a lifeline for the people and a microphone for the leader of Ukraine – “The strategic implication is that it has been completely destroyed [Vladimir] Putin’s information campaign,” US Brigadier General Steven Butov told Politico.

“To this day he has never been able to remain silent [Ukranian president] Zelenskyy,” added Brigadier General Butov.

President Zelenskyy has publicly praised Starlink and has done everything to keep Ukraine’s efforts and spirit alive.

“Sometimes we completely lost communication with these places. Losing touch with these people means completely losing control, losing reality,” Zelenskyy told Wired.

“I’m really grateful for Starlink’s support,” said Zelenskyy.

Ukrainian soldiers share the same opinion – Politico detailed the use of Starlink on the front lines.

“Without Starlink, we have no communication with the outside world,” said one volunteer.

SpaceX will cover the cost of Starlink internet use in Ukraine – the hardware is $499 and the satellite-powered service is $110 per month.

Accordingly, 15,000 Starlink terminals were delivered to Ukraine SpaceX.

3