Elon Musk, the founder and CEO of SpaceX, has confirmed that the company will no longer fund donated Starlink internet terminals in Ukraine.
It comes after CNN reported, citing documents obtained from the Pentagon, that SpaceX was withdrawing funding for the terminals. According to the report, the company is asking the US government to pay for the terminals instead.
At the same time, Russian President Vladimir Putin announced that Moscow’s reservist mobilization would end in two weeks. He also stated that large new strikes on Ukraine are unnecessary.
Meanwhile, Ukrainian forces continue to advance in territory occupied and illegally annexed by Russia, prompting Russian-installed authorities in the region to urge civilians in the southern Kherson region to flee.
Evacuees are expected to arrive in Russia today. According to Ukrainian officials, Russian authorities are carrying out a “forced deportation” of Ukrainians rather than an evacuation. CNBC was unable to independently verify either side’s claims.
Numerous human rights organizations, as well as Ukrainian and Western officials, have accused Russia of forcibly deporting Ukrainian civilians, including children, into Russia, a war crime. Moscow maintains that the people came to Russia on their own volition.
This month, Kyiv claims to have liberated 600 settlements from Russian occupation, including 75 in Kherson.
