New Delhi: Amid the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict, SpaceX and Tesla CEO Elon Musk has cautioned users that his Starlink satellite broadband service may be hit by Russians as it is the only non-Russian communications system still operating in some parts of Ukraine. Musk also mentioned that Russians can target Starlink and hamper the entire system. The SpaceX founder also asked users to turn on Starlink only when needed.
"Important warning: Starlink is the only non-Russian communications system still working in some parts of Ukraine, so probability of being targeted is high. Please use with caution," SpaceX founder Musk tweeted.
Suggesting visibly camouflaging antennas, Musk added: "Place light camouflage over the antenna to avoid visual detection," the SpaceX CEO tweeted. As promised, Elon Musk-run SpaceX sent a truck full of Starlink user terminals to Ukraine after Russian invasion started. Mykhailo Fedorov, Ukrainian Vice Prime Minister tweeted an image showing Starlink terminals in the country.
SpaceX has thousands of Starlink satellites in orbit, which allow the company to beam broadband services around Earth, without the need for fiber-optic cables. The satellites could keep Ukraine online if its Internet infrastructure is damaged by Russia's attack. SpaceX has thus far put more than 1,747 Starlink satellites into orbit, and the company plans on launching more than 40,000 in total.
Meanwhile, earlier on Tuesday, Ukraine's Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Digital Transformation Mykhailo Fedorov took to Twitter and shared a picture of a truck loaded with terminals as Ukraine received Starlink satellite internet terminals from Elon Musk's SpaceX amid attacks by Russia.
Sharing the picture, he wrote, "Starlink — here. Thanks, @elonmusk".