Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk recently had a video conference with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, during which the latter invited Musk to visit Ukraine after the war is over.
Ukraine is currently being invaded by Russia. Tensions heightened on Friday after Ukraine said Russian forces attacked a nuclear power plant in the southeast part of the country.
A snippet of the conversation between President Zelensky and Musk was shared on Twitter by Journalist Basak Sezen (@BasakSezen2).
Zelensky talked to Elon Musk through video chat and invited him to Ukraine after war#UkraineRussiaWar #nowar #peace #Starlink #ElonMusk pic.twitter.com/JrbvzzWcaN
— Basak Sezen (@BasakSezen2) March 5, 2022
Under fears of Russian forces taking down internet access and networking infrastructure within the country, Ukraine found an ally in Musk and SpaceX’s high-speed satellite broadband service, Starlink.
Musk last week enabled Starlink in Ukraine, and on Monday delivered additional Starlink terminals to the country by truckload. Support from Musk and SpaceX has proven instrumental in maintaining connectivity in Ukraine amidst military attacks from Russia.
“I look forward to visiting,” Musk responded to President Zelensky’s invitation to visit Ukraine once the geopolitical situation in the region settles down.
Since enabling Starlink in the country, SpaceX has shipped a software update making it possible to power a Starlink terminal from a car’s cigarette lighter, and the company even enabled mobile roaming in the region so Starlink maintains a connection even on a moving vehicle.
Musk on Thursday advised Ukrainians to use Starlink sparingly and only when needed, considering the satellite uplinks could be detected by Russian forces.
Recently shared Starlink speed tests from Ukraine detailed download speeds of over 200 Mbps. That’s more than enough for the government and citizens to stay online, coordinate emergency efforts, and maintain communications with the world.
