Putin calls Musk a “real genius” after satellite talks

Russian President Vladimir Putin called Elon Musk a “real genius” on Wednesday and said Russia was in “close contact” with its American partners, including Musk, about satellite technology. Putin made the remarks at the Russia-Africa Summit in Moscow while discussing Rassvet, Russia’s satellite internet project.

Putin said contact with Musk was important to help ensure that Russia’s Rassvet satellites and SpaceX’s Starlink satellites do not interfere with each other in orbit. SpaceX did not respond to the BBC’s request for comment.

Starlink has launched roughly 13,000 satellites, according to the company. Online satellite trackers show only a couple of dozen Rassvet satellites currently in orbit. The Russian Embassy in South Africa described Rassvet as “Russia’s Starlink alternative” and said the project marks the country’s first steps in the field.

Putin’s comments came as Russia promotes its own satellite internet project. Ukraine has relied on Starlink internet during the war. The source says Ukraine’s military experienced Starlink connectivity problems last week and that Musk acknowledged SpaceX had intentionally caused them.