30.10.2026 03:24
Russian President Vladimir Putin described Elon Musk as 'a real genius' at the Russia-Africa Summit in Moscow. Putin said they are in close contact with American partners, including Musk, so that Russia's satellite internet project Rassvet and Starlink satellites do not affect each other in orbit.
Russian President Vladimir Putin said that Elon Musk is "a true genius" and announced that they are in "close" contact on satellite technology.
Speaking during the Russia-Africa Summit held in Moscow, Putin touched on Rassvet, Russia's own satellite internet project that provides internet connectivity via satellites. Putin said of Musk, "He is a genius, a real genius." "We are in close contact with our American partners, including Musk."
Starlink is part of Musk's company SpaceX. The company did not respond to a request for comment.
RASSVET AND STARLINK FACE OFF IN ORBIT
Putin added that it is important for Russia to be in contact with Musk so that the Rassvet and Starlink satellites "do not interact with each other in orbit."
Putin said, "We and our American partners care about this mutually, and despite all political questions, we work hard."
According to the company's statement, Starlink has launched about 13,000 satellites. In contrast, according to online satellite tracking sites, Rassvet currently has only a few dozen satellites in orbit.
In a statement on Wednesday, Russia's Embassy in South Africa said that Rassvet is "Russia's Starlink alternative" and "represents the country's first steps in this field." In a statement from the embassy, it was said, "Russia continues to maintain close contact on space with the United States, including with Elon Musk."
UKRAINIAN ARMY EXPERIENCED CONNECTION PROBLEMS
Putin's comments on Rassvet and Starlink came at a time when the US and Russia are increasingly drawing closer, despite nearly five years having passed since Putin's invasion of Ukraine. Ukraine had relied on Starlink internet in its efforts to keep Russian forces away. However, last week the Ukrainian army suddenly experienced Starlink connection problems, and Musk admitted that SpaceX did this intentionally.
RAPPROCHEMENT BETWEEN WASHINGTON AND MOSCOW
US President Donald Trump said earlier this month that the US had reached an agreement with Russia on diesel imports in order to lower fuel prices that had soared because of the US's war with Iran. Then Trump suspended some sanctions on Russia that were expected to take effect.
Shortly after that, a US citizen was released from detention in Russia, and US envoy Steve Witkoff described Putin as a "humane" figure.
Musk was born in South Africa, then emigrated to Canada and later settled in the US. All of his business ventures, including Tesla, SpaceX and Starlink, are US-based, and most operate from California and Texas. Musk has become one of the biggest political allies and financiers of Trump and other Republican US politicians.
We used artificial intelligence to translate this article, the original of which is in English. A BBC journalist checked the translation before publication.