Depite losing millions in the project, Elon Musk tweets that SpaceX will continue funding for Starlink satellite terminals in Ukraine.
The CEO previously asked the Pentagon to take over expenses but has since stated that he will continue paying for Starlink access in Ukraine indefinitely instead, Engadget reports.
Ukraine Will Continue Getting Musk's Support As CEO Backtracks
Despite potentially losing millions of dollars in keeping the Starlink satellite terminals functional in Ukraine, Musk says that they will keep funding them for free.
This statement follows Musk's pleas to the Pentagon in September, asking the United States Department of Defense to continue providing the country's access to Starlink.
However, the SpaceX CEO denies this in a letter to Financial Times, clarifying that the letter to Pentagon did not ask the organization to pay for their Starlink debts.
He further explained that it only said that the company could not support the system in Ukraine, wherein thousands of new units are regularly sent to replace the ones routinely destroyed.
Connectedly, the Pentagon confirmed that they have been talking with SpaceX about payments and potential alternatives to the system.
According to Politico, the Pentagon said that it has been discussing connecting with other satellite communications and services companies following Musk's announcements.
"There are other entities that we can certainly partner with when it comes to providing Ukraine with what they need on the battlefield," Sabrina Singh, Pentagon's deputy press secretary, said.
According to CNN Politics, the letter to the Pentagon also confirmed that 85% of the terminals in Ukraine are fully or partially funded by other outside sources at the moment.
SpaceX told the Department of Defense that to continue the Starlink project in Ukraine, it would cost about $120 million by the end of 2022 and around $400 million in 2023, Engadget reports.
Read More : SpaceX Can No Longer Foot Ukraine's Starlink Bill; Pentagon Asked To Pay for Continued Service
SpaceX Stays In Ukraine's Good Graces With Starlink
Starlink has sent thousands of satellite terminal units to help Ukraine in their war effort, and has played an important role in keeping the country's online connections.
The Verge writes that the servers protect the military and civilians who suffer blackouts from missile strikes and from the high risk of falling victim to cyberattacks.
Just recently, Ukraine's Vice Prime Minister Mykhailo Fedorov also took to Twitter to thank Starlink for its critical role in restoring internet connectivity in the country after a missile attack.
However, while Starlink has sustained its steadfast services in the country, Musk notes that SpaceX is losing about $20 million for its maintenance services monthly.
Musk also added that it is unfair that the SpaceX project was not subsidized by the US military to operate in Ukraine, forcing the company to pay for Starlink on their own, The Guardian says.
Despite this, Ukrainians have nothing but praise for Starlink, which is why thousands of locals have been paying Musk's company with more than $6000 from their own money to back it up.
Related Article : Ukraine Thanks Starlink for its Continued Service after a Recent Attack
