Key facts
- Putin called Elon Musk a "real genius" on Wednesday, Oct. 28, 2026, at the Russia-Africa Summit in Moscow.
- Starlink is part of Elon Musk's company SpaceX.
- The Russian Embassy in South Africa said Russia maintains close space contacts with the US that include Elon Musk.
- Putin said Starlink has more than 5,000 units in orbit while Russia is only taking its first steps.
"Elon Musk is a genius, a true genius," the Russian leader said, according to the Tass news agency.
Putin, The Guardian
On Wednesday, Oct. 28, 2026, Putin called Elon Musk a “real genius” at the Russia-Africa Summit in Moscow.
Putin said he and Musk remain in close contact about satellite technology. He said contact matters. Rassvet and Starlink satellites stay apart. Putin said both sides work hard.
Starlink has launched roughly 13,000 satellites. The company provided the figure. SpaceX did not reply to comment. On the remarks.
The Russian Embassy in South Africa called Rassvet “Russia’s Starlink alternative.” Rassvet totals a couple of dozen. Russia is new to this field. Contacts with the US include Musk.
Russia is developing Rassvet. Rassvet serves civilian uses. It also serves military uses. Shadayev said more than 30.
Moscow launched satellites for Rassvet. Putin said more than 5,000 units. Starlink is in orbit. Russia takes first steps.
Active Starlink satellites total about 10,000. The Guardian gave the estimate. The Guardian estimated 26 working satellites. Moscow’s alternative has limited capacity.
Starlink and Starshield are SpaceX satellite communications systems. Starshield is the military-grade system. Ukraine relies on satellite internet. It helps battlefield communications.
Ukrainian officials cited October disruptions. Efforts to intercept Russian drones suffered. Postponements followed.
Starlink and Starshield services returned. Ukraine said this over the weekend.
Mid-October saw the restriction on Starshield. The Guardian reported it. It blocked Ukrainian medium drone attacks. It weakened anti-drone air defenses.
Musk denied ordering a throttling. He said he closed a loophole. At the end of last week. The loophole allowed civilian Starlink.
About 10 days of restriction passed. Zelenskyy announced restoration last week. Starlink and Starshield operations returned. Speeds reached needed levels.
No acknowledgment came from Musk. The US government gave no acknowledgment. Neither took responsibility for speed curbs.
The US government operates Starshield. It uses Starlink technology.
Starlink does not work in Russia. Russian use of Starlink was restricted. Inside Ukraine. Earlier in 2026.
Putin said close contact matters. With American partners including Musk. It keeps satellites apart. It maintains order in orbit.
Putin said Russia must move. From quality to quantity. He expressed pride. In building the system independently.
Moscow’s system is far smaller. Than Musk’s network. Limited satellites cause the gap.
Kirill Dmitriev spoke in 2025. Russia wants to work with Musk on Mars. Dmitriev is Putin’s investment envoy.
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