SpaceX founder and CEO Elon Musk has confirmed that SpaceX will no longer fund donated Starlink internet terminals in Ukraine.
It follows a CNN report that SpaceX was pulling funding for the terminals, citing documents obtained from the Pentagon. The company is asking the U.S. government to pay for the terminals instead, according to the report.
At the same time, Russian President Vladimir Putin said Moscow’s mobilization of reservists would end in two weeks. He added that there is no need for large new strikes on Ukraine.
Meanwhile, Ukrainian forces continue to gain ground in territory occupied and illegally annexed by Russia, prompting Russian-installed authorities there to urge civilians in the southern Kherson region to evacuate.
Evacuees are to begin arriving in Russia today. Ukrainian officials say Russian authorities are not carrying out an evacuation but a “forced deportation” of Ukrainians. CNBC has not been able to verify either side’s claims.
Numerous rights groups as well as Ukrainian and Western officials have accused Russia of forcefully deporting Ukrainian civilians, including children, into Russia, which constitutes a war crime. Moscow insists the people came to Russia of their own accord.
Kyiv says it has liberated 600 settlements from Russian occupation this month, including 75 in Kherson.