The article states that SpaceX has been donating the majority of the recurring monthly service. It also sounds like they are using these in ways that were really not intended which seems to be the big advantage that Ukraine has had during the war. Thinking outside the box. Per the article the monthly service they are using is $4,500 per month per terminal and there are approximately 25,000 terminals in use. That would be $112 million per month and SpaceX is footing the bill for 70% of that. Free service of $78 million per month seems like a bit more than any other company is contributing to the war effort.
No idea why the service is $4,500 per month or why the terminals they are using are $1,500 or $2,500 each, but evidently they aren't the same make and model of the ones we can buy for $600 and pay $110 per month for service.
They really seem to be making a difference in the war effort based on the article. It even made it seem like the reason they had to slow down the offensive in Karkiv was because they ran out of the coverage area of the service and had to get Starlink to change their coverage area. That is a pretty good indication that it is making a difference.
Not trying to stick up for Mr. Musk, it just seems a little unfair to be bashing him for contributing a significant amount of products and services that actually seem to work and are very useful in the war effort. I do think he could lay off patting himself on the back a bit, but it sure seems like Starlink has been a big part of the Ukraine success.