Ukraine's top military intelligence official, Lt. Gen. Kyrillo Budanov, said Russian invasion forces were using thousands of Starlink satellite Internet terminals and that the network had been operating in occupied parts of Ukraine “for a long time.” The Wall Street Journal.
The interview with the general revealed that Russia has begun purchasing Starlink terminals manufactured by Elon Musk's SpaceX, a feature that could completely eliminate Ukraine's current advantage on the battlefield. Ukraine's government said last year its military, hospitals, businesses and aid agencies used about 42,000 terminals.
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Starlink, which is more secure than cellular or radio signals, is considered so critical to Ukrainian operations that the Pentagon struck a deal with SpaceX last year to fund Kiev's forces. Until now, the Russian forces did not have a similar secure communication system.
As a result, both parties will soon benefit from Space X's offer, giving the company momentum for growth. In 2021, SpaceX had $222 million. The revenue is already estimated to be USD 1.4 billion in 2022 and USD 9 billion in 2023. This year, forecasts are already talking about USD 15 billion. It generates revenue from space rocket launches funded by NASA and the Starlink satellite phone.
According to 2015 projections, Starlink should earn $12 billion. 7 billion USD annually. Operating profit already in 2022. In 2022, one lost 559 million US dollars. net. However, the first quarter of 2023 saw a profit of USD 55 million. Revenue at US$ 1.5 billion.
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