Ukraine lost access to 1,300 Starlink terminals due to funding issue

As recently as October 24, the Ukrainian military suffered a partial internet outage after 1,300 Starlink terminals were taken offline due to lack of funding, reports CNN >. The outage came amid ongoing talks between SpaceX and the Department of Defense which are continuing although Elon Musk has said his company will continue to foot the bill for Starlink usage in the country. p>

"Negotiations are ongoing. Everyone in our building knows we're going to pay them," a senior Pentagon official told the outlet, adding that the Department of Defense wanted something in writing "because that we fear he will change his mind".

In September, SpaceX sent a letter to the Pentagon, asking the Department of Defense to pay for expenses related to Ukraine's use of its Starlink internet service. On October 15, following a public outcry, Musk appeared to reverse his decision to ask the US government for help. "Damn it...we will continue to fund the Ukrainian government for free," Musk tweeted, later telling The Financial Times that the company would do so "indefinitely." .< /p>

According to CNN, last month's outage was a "huge problem" for the Ukrainian military. In March, the country bought the 1,300 terminals from a British company. SpaceX reportedly charged Ukraine $2,500 per month to keep each unit operational. The country finally can no longer afford to pay the monthly bill of 3.25 million dollars and has requested financial assistance from the British Ministry of Defence. After some discussion, the two agreed to prioritize other military spending.

“We support a number of terminals that have direct tactical utility for the Ukrainian military in repelling the Russian invasion,” a British official told CNN. "We are reviewing and prioritizing all new requests in terms of the impact the contributions would have in helping Ukraine defend its people against Putin's deplorable invasion."

If SpaceX and the US Department of Defense were to ultimately sign an agreement, it is unclear whether the Pentagon will have greater control over Starlink service in Ukraine. The company is currently deciding where Ukrainian troops can use the terminals.

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