Kyiv: SpaceX founder Elon Musk has activated Starlink satellite broadband service in the war-hit Ukraine on the request of the Vice Prime Minister of Ukraine and Minister of Digital Transformation.

Starlink is a satellite internet constellation operated by SpaceX providing satellite Internet access coverage to most of the Earth. The constellation has grown to over 1,700 satellites through 2021, and will eventually consist of many thousands of mass-produced small satellites in low Earth orbit (LEO), which communicate with designated ground transceivers. 

Ukraine's VIce PM Fedorov Mykhailo requested Elon Musk to provide Ukraine with Starlink stations and to address sane Russians to stand.

Mykhailo said in a tweet, "@elonmusk, while you try to colonize Mars — Russia try to occupy Ukraine! While your rockets successfully land from space — Russian rockets attack Ukrainian civil people! We ask you to provide Ukraine with Starlink stations and to address sane Russians to stand".

To his tweet Musk gave a simple and straight reply, "Starlink service is now active in Ukraine. More terminals en route".

@elonmusk, while you try to colonize Mars — Russia try to occupy Ukraine! While your rockets successfully land from space — Russian rockets attack Ukrainian civil people! We ask you to provide Ukraine with Starlink stations and to address sane Russians to stand.

— Mykhailo Fedorov (@FedorovMykhailo) February 26, 2022

Mykhailo also called on the billionaire "to address sane Russians to stand" against their government's invasion. Internet monitor NetBlocks said Ukraine has seen a "series of significant disruptions to internet service" since Thursday, when Russia launched military operations in the country.