Putin Praises Musk as Russia Develops Starlink Rival
publishers 20articles 21first reported 28 Oct, 14:55 UTCdeveloping since 28 Oct · 4 editions
Russian President Vladimir Putin called SpaceX chief Elon Musk “a genius” on Wednesday as he discussed Russia’s efforts to build a satellite internet network to compete with Starlink.
Speaking at the Russia-Africa Summit in Moscow, Putin said Russia was in “close contact” with U.S. partners, including Musk, to avoid interference between satellites and maintain order in orbit. SpaceX did not immediately respond to CNBC’s request for comment on Putin’s account of the contacts.
Russia’s planned low-Earth-orbit constellation, Rassvet, is being developed by private aerospace company Bureau 1440 for civilian and military communications. Digital Development Minister Maksut Shadayev said more than 30 satellites had been launched. CNBC, citing satellite tracker Orbital Radar, reported that 31 of 32 satellites launched since March remained in orbit, with 26 in their operational orbit.
Putin contrasted Russia’s early-stage system with Starlink’s much larger network. CNBC reported that Starlink now operates more than 11,000 satellites and provides internet service in 174 countries.
The remarks followed a dispute over satellite service used by Ukraine. Ukrainian officials said restrictions affecting Starlink and the government-focused Starshield system earlier in October disrupted military operations, including drone interception. Ukraine later said service had returned to normal. Musk said Ukraine had violated Starlink terms by using the civilian network for offensive drone strikes, an allegation Ukraine denied. The origin of the restrictions has not been publicly established; President Donald Trump denied ordering them, while Musk has said Starshield is controlled by the U.S. government.
HOW THIS STORY WAS MADE
Written from 8 articles, 3 with the publisher's own text; 8 independent newsrooms once syndicated copies count as one; this version written 18 h after the record first saw the story; the editor kept it as written.
- Publishers
- 20
- Source articles
- 21
- Given to the writer
- 8, 3 with the article's own text
- Independent newsrooms
- 8
- This version written
- 18 h after the record first saw the story
- Second model (editor)
- kept as written
- Publication gate
- passed
- Human review
- none
WHAT THE EDITOR DID
The second model checked the writer's draft against the same sources and published it as written.
Written by a language model from the sources above, then checked by a second model that may only cut, attribute or correct. How it works →