What appeared earlier this year to be a selfless act of technotopianism, the widespread deployment of Starlink terminals in Ukraine, has soured as SpaceX and governments disagree on who ultimately should foot the bill of this unprecedented aid campaign. Some expect Elon Musk — one of the richest men in the world — to cough up, while others say the world's richest military should as well. Both Elon Musk now says Starlink will continue providing internet to the Ukraine for free Elon Musk now says Starlink will continue providing internet to the Ukraine for free claims have merit, but this game of financial chicken will cost Ukrainian lives.

Update: Musk tweeted that Starlink will "just keep funding Ukraine govt for free" at least for the present despite it being a loss. This secures the service for the present but clearly isn't a long term solution:

The effort began in late February, just days after Russia invaded Ukraine. Musk said Starlink terminals were "on the way" but provided little detail. Many took this minimal, rather promotional approach to mean what it clearly implies: that SpaceX was providing the terminals itself, either gratis or with some understanding as to their purchase.

The latter proved to be the case as it came out that the U.S. Agency for International Development had paid for some, the Polish and other European governments for more, and various militaries and NGOs contributing for the cost of transport, installation, and apparently the monthly fees for the service itself. USAID described "a range of stakeholders" providing a first wave of support totaling around $15 million at the time.