Putin has hailed Elon Musk as a "genius," saying Moscow is maintaining close ties with the American billionaire as Russia develops its own satellite internet network. "Elon Musk is a genius, really a genius," Putin said, comparing the scale of the Starlinks satellite group to Russia's efforts to develop a competing system. His comments come days after Ukraine reported disruptions to Starlink and Star Shield services critical to its military operations.

Putin has hailed Elon Musk as a "genius," saying Moscow is maintaining close ties with the American billionaire as Russia develops its own satellite internet network. "Elon Musk is a genius, really a genius," Putin said, comparing the scale of the Starlinks satellite group to Russia's efforts to develop a competing system. His comments come days after Ukraine reported disruptions to Starlink and Star Shield services critical to its military operations.