It has been around two weeks since Russian soldiers started to invade cities in Ukraine. The war is making life difficult for civilians who have to migrate to areas with less conflict and deal with the aftermath of their homes and communities destroyed by Russian air strikes. As Russians are trying to take control of Kyiv, the capital of Ukraine, civilians are preparing for a potential attack by Russian troops on the historic city of Odessa, which is home to a port on the Black Sea in southwestern Ukraine. 

National security experts state that Odessa is a region that Russia would fight for because the seaport was founded in 1794 by Russian Empress Catherine the Great and it is situated 300km (186 miles) west of the Russian-annexed Crimean peninsula and approximately 440km (279 miles) south of the capital. 

Around 1 million Odessa residents are bracing for a potential attack, the Ukrainian military has established defensive positions across the city and already initiated evacuation in some zones. Residents who do not have means to migrate to a foreign country are gathering in humanitarian shelters. The Ukraine Odessa Humanitarian Center announced it received SpaceX Starlink antennas to maintain Internet communication amid Russia Invasion, according to a report by Ukrinform.net. The Russians have intentionally destroyed telecommunications towers in some cities and Odessa residents fear that they too could lose all communications with the rest of the world if a battle breaks out. 

SpaceX understands the importance of having a reliable communication system to coordinate safety operations and allow Ukrainians to continue sharing about their ongoing crisis with the rest of world. Upon request from the Vice Prime Minister and Minister of Digital Transformation of Ukraine Mykhailo Fedorov, SpaceX founder Elon Musk donated two trucks loaded with SpaceX Starlink Kits that include all the necessary equipment to access the broadband satellite network. Petro Obukhov, a member of the Odesa City Council announced via Facebook –“Now we are not afraid that our headquarters may be cut off from the internet,” Obukhov wrote, stating that some SpaceX Starlink antennas were installed at the Odessa Humanitarian Center for civilian use.

You’re welcome. We have also sent power adapters for car cigarette lighters, solar/battery packs and generators for places where electricity is not available.

— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) March 9, 2022

 

Featured Image Source: ukrinform.net