Putin praises Musk and says Russia is in close contact over satellites

Russian President Vladimir Putin praised Elon Musk as “a real genius” at a presentation of Russia’s fledgling satellite internet project in Moscow on Wednesday, and said Russia was in close contact with American partners, including Musk. His remarks did not establish whether the two men had spoken personally.

Putin was discussing Rassvet, Russia’s proposed answer to the Starlink network operated by Musk’s company SpaceX, during the Russia–Africa summit. “We are in close contact with our American partners, including Mr Musk,” he said, in a translation of his Russian remarks. He said the contact mattered because satellites in orbit must not get in one another’s way, but gave no details of who had been in contact or when. SpaceX did not respond to a BBC request for comment.

Russia’s digital development minister, Maksut Shadayev, said more than 30 satellites had been launched for its planned network. By comparison, SpaceX says it has launched roughly 13,000 Starlink satellites, according to the BBC. The figures describe launches, not how many satellites are operational.

Ukraine has relied on Starlink and its military counterpart, Starshield, during the war with Russia. Restrictions on those satellite links recently disrupted Ukrainian drone missions.