Poland announces upcoming provision of additional 5,000 Starlink devices to Ukraine
Krzysztof Jackowski, Deputy Prime Minister of Poland (photo: screenshot from the video)
Poland plans to soon deliver a new batch of Starlink satellite internet systems to Ukraine. The shipment will consist of 5,000 terminals, which could arrive on the Ukrainian side in the coming weeks and months, according to Poland's Vice Prime Minister and Minister of Digital Affairs Krzysztof Jackowski.
The Polish official emphasized that the Polish government currently supports the internet in Ukraine and pays the subscription fees for the Starlink terminals. He was responding to media reports suggesting that SpaceX owner Elon Musk might disconnect Ukraine from the satellite internet service.
"Poland states this, Poland purchased Starlinks and delivered them to Ukraine. Poland is ensuring security by paying the subscription fees. I can't imagine any American corporation terminating such contracts," Jackowski said.
He also mentioned that on Saturday, he spoke with Ukrainian Vice Prime Minister and Minister of Digital Transformation Mykhailo Fedorov.
Jackowski reported that Poland's Ministry of Digital Affairs has decided to send additional Starlinks to Ukraine.
"We are ordering another 5,000 Starlink terminals. They have already been partially paid for and will be sent to Ukraine in the coming weeks and months," assured the Polish Vice Prime Minister.
He reminded that 25,000 Starlink terminals are already operating in Ukraine and added that Poland is the largest donor of Ukraine's security in Europe.
The Starlink kits are mobile routers providing access to satellite internet. Approximately 85% of the 20,000 terminals currently operating in Ukraine are fully or partially funded by external sources, including the governments of the US, the UK, and Poland.
Rumors about the possibility of blocking Starlink for Ukraine
It was reported last week by Reuters that US negotiators are pressuring Ukraine, demanding access to strategically important mineral resources. According to Western media outlets, during talks with Ukrainian officials, the American side raised the issue of potentially disconnecting the country from Starlink.
As noted by Andrii Kovalенко, head of the Center for Counteracting Disinformation at the National Security and Defense Council, such rumors are being addressed, and Ukraine will not be disconnected from Starlink satellite internet.
At the same time, Defense Minister Rustem Umerov emphasized that Ukraine has alternatives in case the Starlink system is disconnected.
Recently, there was a response in Poland to media reports about alleged threats of disconnecting Starlink. Krzysztof Jackowski, the Polish Minister for Digitalization, expressed surprise over such claims, noting that Poland had purchased Starlink terminals for Ukraine and is paying for satellite internet services. He also emphasized that an official agreement had been signed between Poland and Ukraine in this regard.
On February 22, American billionaire Elon Musk denied reports from Western media about the US supposedly threatening to disconnect Ukraine from Starlink.
On February 23, during a press conference, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy responded to RBK-Ukraine's questions, stating that the US had not made any threats to block Starlink's operation in Ukraine. However, he acknowledged that Ukraine should be prepared for such a scenario.
On February 25, Polish Deputy Prime Minister Krzysztof Jackowski revealed that Poland would provide more Starlink terminals to support Ukraine, though he did not specify the number.
