Ukraine's Favourite Dish

摘要

On 28th February 2022, four days after Russia's second invasion of Ukraine, mercurial billionaire Elon Musk, sent Star-link Satellite Communications (SATCOM) terminals to Ukraine. Starlink is SpaceX's satellite broadband internet service. Musk is the company's chief executive officer and founder. Ukraine experienced significant telecommunications problems as Russian attacks pounded their critical national infrastructure. As well as affecting traditional landline communications, Russia's aggression also disrupted internet services. Maintaining internet coverage and access became an understandable top priority for Ukraine's government. Since these first deliveries, an estimated 23,000 terminals have been delivered to Ukraine, according to local media reports. These have been donated by SpaceX, financed by the US Agency for International Development, donated by foreign governments and purchased privately. Starlink has made its presence felt as hostilities have continued. The New York Times reported the terminals helped besieged Ukrainian troops maintain contact during Russia's siege of Mariupol. The city on the southeastern Ukrainian coast held out against Russian aggression for almost three months until its occupation on 20 May. Starlink terminals let troops stay in contact with their commanders, journalists to send their stories and relatives to keep in touch. The role of the SATCOM service in the siege earned Russian ire. It was sufficient for the then head of Russia's Roscosmos space agency Dmitry Rogozin to publicly warn Musk he would "be tried as an adult" for his actions, though it is doubtful this warning will have caused its recipient much concern.