Ask and you shall receive. Or so they say.
Maybe a modern adage would be, "Ask on Twitter, and Elon Musk might deliver. Maybe."
Ukranian Vice President Mykhailo Fedorov tweeted at Elon Musk on Friday asking the billionaire to extend the satellite internet service, Starlink, to the Ukraine.
@elonmusk, while you try to colonize Mars \u2014 Russia try to occupy Ukraine! While your rockets successfully land from space \u2014 Russian rockets attack Ukrainian civil people! We ask you to provide Ukraine with Starlink stations and to address sane Russians to stand.— Mykhailo Fedorov (@Mykhailo Fedorov) 1645877199
This plea came amid the Russian invasion of Ukraine, which in addition to causing major destruction, loss of life, and a refugee crisis has also created major internet blackouts across the country.
Musk was quick to respond to the call out.
He tweeted:
"Starlink service is now active in Ukraine. More terminals en route."
Starlink service is now active in Ukraine. More terminals en route.— Elon Musk (@Elon Musk) 1645914834
Starlink is a low-earth orbit (LEO) high speed satellite internet that is reportedly more reliable than conventional broadband. Russia has been targeting Ukraine's internet service since even before the invasion, so access to this kind of technology could be helpful for both civilians and the government as they defend their country during the attack.
Folks commented about how wild it was to see governments and entrepreneurs carryout business and war-time negotiations over Twitter.
I took a screen shot of this so my children's children will see how history unfolded.pic.twitter.com/RODvnoA2V8— Sotomoto (@Sotomoto) 1645926896
But what Twitter is really celebrating today is the absolute chill of Ukraine's official Twitter account, who responded to Musk with a quick:
"Thanx, appreciate it."
thanx, appreciate ithttps://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/1497701484003213317\u00a0\u2026— Ukraine / \u0423\u043a\u0440\u0430\u0457\u043d\u0430 (@Ukraine / \u0423\u043a\u0440\u0430\u0457\u043d\u0430) 1645915307
They loved that Ukraine responded not with overwhelming gratitude but the brevity of a quick Slack message.
Bro, Ukraine the country just said "thanx" to Elon Musk for giving them internet during a war in real-time lol, what timeline is this???— Kylix \u26a1 (@Kylix \u26a1) 1645915703
ilu— Jane Lytvynenko (@Jane Lytvynenko) 1645917122
bro got no time for big ass textshttps://twitter.com/Ukraine/status/1497703466352926722\u00a0\u2026— shiphoo_\ud83c\uddfa\ud83c\udde6 (@shiphoo_\ud83c\uddfa\ud83c\udde6) 1645917596
I am noticing that Ukrainians have a knack for understatement.https://twitter.com/Ukraine/status/1497703466352926722\u00a0\u2026— Ken Harbaugh (@Ken Harbaugh) 1646010882
Others noted just how surreal it is to watch this kind of interaction unfold in real time.
A country just thanked a quadrillionaire for internet whilst being invaded. 2022 is a circus already.https://twitter.com/ukraine/status/1497703466352926722\u00a0\u2026— logan\u2122\ufe0f\ud83d\udfe0\ud83d\udfe2 (@logan\u2122\ufe0f\ud83d\udfe0\ud83d\udfe2) 1645932983
What a time to be alive.\n\nNations shitposting through a major war.https://twitter.com/Ukraine/status/1497703466352926722\u00a0\u2026— Erin, Trail Mom (@Erin, Trail Mom) 1645917481
While Musk might have been quick to respond with Twitter promises, Fortune reported earlier today it is unclear if people are actually able to use Starlink in Ukraine as on-the-ground terminals and dishes may be difficult to procure and install during the war.
Time will tell if Starlink access will be a game changer.
Until then, celebrate a real hero—the person behind @Ukraine for keeping their chin up and their tweets snappy.
Tag @Russia and tell them what you think about them— Ukraine / \u0423\u043a\u0440\u0430\u0457\u043d\u0430 (@Ukraine / \u0423\u043a\u0440\u0430\u0457\u043d\u0430) 1645708924
