• PersnickityPenguin@lemm.ee
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    1 year ago

    According to CNBC, SpaceX is funding Starlink in Ukraine, not the government:

    “Musk reportedly told the Pentagon in October he would no longer finance the Starlink terminals in Ukraine as the country prepared to fight through the harsh winter months. However, the billionaire reversed course and did continue to fund the service.”

    https://www.cnbc.com/2023/06/01/pentagon-awards-spacex-with-ukraine-contract-for-starlink-satellite-internet.html#:~:text=Musk reportedly told the Pentagon,continue to fund the service.

    • pthaloblue@sh.itjust.works
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      1 year ago

      First paragraph of the article you linked:

      The Pentagon said Thursday it has agreed to purchase Starlink satellite internet terminals from Elon Musk’s SpaceX for use in Ukraine as Kyiv continues to defend itself against a full-scale Russian invasion.

    • atempuser23@lemmy.world
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      1 year ago

      from the same article " We continue to work with a range of global partners to ensure Ukraine has the satellite and communication capabilities they need. Satellite communications constitute a vital layer in Ukraine’s overall communications network and the department contracts with Starlink for services of this type,” the Pentagon said in a statement to CNBC."

      Elon was claiming that the terminals were operating at a loss, so he was ‘funding’ the service. Since he owns the terminals and the satellites he is providing service, not funding. He often get confused on the details of contracts.

      • PersnickityPenguin@lemm.ee
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        1 year ago

        That’s true, but still, those terminals cost money and SpaceX has provided free access for thousands of Starlink stations for Ukraine military access.