My understanding is that it is built into the price of the tier. I wonder if it could be argued that they are in breach of contract since it is included in the agreement when signing up.

I get mine free through ATT. Got the same email today.

Addition: Guess I shouldn’t complain too much since it’s free anyway

It died when Belarus intervened and brokered a compromise between the Wagner group and Putin. Still unfolding so we still don’t know the full story. Here’s a summary from Business Insider.