Poland has sent an additional 5,000 Starlink terminals to Ukraine to ensure vital communication channels remain operational in front-line cities as Kyiv battles Russia’s invasion.
Starlink, created by tech billionaire Elon Musk’s SpaceX, is a satellite-based internet system equipped with powerful antennas providing high-speed connectivity.
The terminals can support multiple users simultaneously without compromising internet speed.
The service is especially effective in remote areas and conflict-affected regions.
Ukraine’s Minister for Digital Transformation, Mykhailo Fedorov, announced the arrival of the new tranche on Thursday.
He said: “Starlinks will help residents of the front-line territories to stay in touch: call relatives, call emergency services, read the news.
“Due to attacks and destruction of base stations in the de-occupied territories, regular communication is unavailable.”
Fedorov added that since Russia launched its full-scale invasion in 2022, Ukraine has received over 50,000 Starlink terminals, with Poland being the single largest supplier, delivering around 29,500 terminals.
The terminals can support multiple users simultaneously without compromising internet speed.
The service is especially effective in remote areas and conflict-affected regions.
Ukraine’s Minister for Digital Transformation, Mykhailo Fedorov, announced the arrival of the new tranche on Thursday.
He said: “Starlinks will help residents of the front-line territories to stay in touch: call relatives, call emergency services, read the news.
“Due to attacks and destruction of base stations in the de-occupied territories, regular communication is unavailable.”
Fedorov added that since Russia launched its full-scale invasion in 2022, Ukraine has received over 50,000 Starlink terminals, with Poland being the single largest supplier, delivering around 29,500 terminals.
“We are grateful to the Deputy Prime Minister and Digitalization Minister of Poland Krzysztof Gawkowski and the Polish government for their contribution to Ukrainian sustainability,” he said.
Concerns have grown over Ukraine’s continued access to Starlink following reports in February that the U.S. threatened to block the service unless Kyiv signed a critical minerals agreement.
Last month, Musk said that if Ukraine’s access to Starlink was shut down, the country’s entire front line “would collapse.”
It has prompted Kyiv and its allies in Europe to explore alternatives to Starlink.
Eutelsat, Europe’s largest low Earth orbit satellite operator, said last month that it is prepared to step in and replace Starlink in Ukraine if necessary.
Concerns have grown over Ukraine’s continued access to Starlink following reports in February that the U.S. threatened to block the service unless Kyiv signed a critical minerals agreement.
Last month, Musk said that if Ukraine’s access to Starlink was shut down, the country’s entire front line “would collapse.”
It has prompted Kyiv and its allies in Europe to explore alternatives to Starlink.
Eutelsat, Europe’s largest low Earth orbit satellite operator, said last month that it is prepared to step in and replace Starlink in Ukraine if necessary.
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