The Newshound

'A true genius': Putin hails Elon Musk as Russia builds its own Starlink rival for its war against Ukraine

Elon Musk, pictured with Donald Trump, US President, as Russia works to close the military gap with Starlink, which has proved significant in the war in Ukraine.
Elon Musk, pictured with Donald Trump, US President, as Russia works to close the military gap with Starlink, which has proved significant in the war in Ukraine.
Vladimir Putin, who hailed Elon Musk's "genius" as Russia works to develop its own satellite internet network to rival Starlink.
Vladimir Putin, who hailed Elon Musk's "genius" as Russia works to develop its own satellite internet network to rival Starlink.

Putin praised Musk at a Moscow summit with African leaders, saying "Elon Musk is a genius, a true genius" as he compared Starlink's estimated 10,000 active satellites to Russia's fledgling Rassvet constellation. The Russian president confirmed he is in direct contact with Musk as Russia races to build its own military satellite network to deploy against Ukraine.

Russia's Rassvet programme is at its earliest stages — Putin admitted Moscow has taken only 'first steps' against Starlink's vast lead.

Musk recently admitted closing a Starlink loophole that had allowed Ukraine to conduct medium drone attacks, after initially denying any throttling.

Putin's flattery raises fresh questions about Musk's leverage over the White House and his ability to shape the war's outcome.

MoreThe GuardianVladimir Putin hails Elon Musk’s ‘genius’ amid plans for Russian StarlinkReutersPutin salutes Musk's genius as Russia plays catch-up with Starlink
Read today's full feed at The Newshound →