Ukraine resolved the issue of preserving the Starlink communication system – Reznikov

Ukraine should no longer have issues with the maintenance of Starlink satellite communication terminals.

This was stated by the Minister of Defense Oleksii Reznikov, Politico reports.

According to him, Ukrainian high-ranking officials are in direct contact with Elon Musk to find a way out of the controversy surrounding payment for Starlink terminals, which provide critical battlefield connectivity for the Ukrainian forces.

Reznikov reported that the Minister of Digital Transformation of Ukraine, Mykhailo Fedorov, had taken over communication with Musk.

“He is responsible for the digitalization and he has a direct connection with Elon Musk. They have personal communication, and Mykhailo was really positive about the situation in their last discussion on the issue,” he said.

Reznikov also added that there will be no issues with the maintenance of Starlink terminals due to a lack of funding. Ukraine has a minimum of three sources to pay for satellite internet. The payment for Starlink can either be included in the package of military aid from the Pentagon, or Europe can join the financing. The third option is the support of private donors.

The minister emphasized that “however it is funded, Ukraine will continue the communication at the technical level with Elon Musk’s company.”

Previously, the Pentagon said to be looking for the possibility of further operation of the Starlink communications system in Ukraine.

This happens after Elon Musk’s SpaceX asked the US Department of Defense to take over funding the Starlink services. The latter assured that with or without Elon Musk, there would still be satellite communication in Ukraine.

SpaceX states that their services will cost $124 million, and the cost will reach $400 million in 2023 by the end of 2022. The company claims to have spent nearly $100 million of its own funds.

SpaceX turned to the Pentagon after having received a new request from the Armed Forces of Ukraine. This document states that 4,000 terminals are operating at the same time for defense needs.

However, about 500 devices are lost every month in battles. Therefore, the Ukrainian Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Valerii Zaluzhnyi has asked Elon Musk for 8,000 more terminals.