Zelensky Awards Musk Ukraine’s Order of Freedom

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has awarded SpaceX CEO Elon Musk the Order of Freedom, one of Ukraine’s state honors. Zelensky praised Musk for his contribution to protecting human life and freedom and strengthening relations between Ukraine and the US.

The award comes as Kyiv seeks Musk’s approval to use Starlink on Ukrainian drones operating over Russian territory. Ukraine also wants to use the technology in operations against Russian ballistic missile launchers, potentially limiting Moscow’s ability to strike Ukrainian cities.

Musk has so far refused to allow Starlink terminals to operate on Russian territory. According to a source cited by the Kyiv Independent, he considers such use an escalation of the war. Zelensky said last week that he hoped Musk could still be persuaded to change his position.

Starlink provides Ukrainian forces with high-speed communications between frontline positions and command posts. Ukraine also uses the satellite network on drones operating over Russian-occupied territory.

In February, SpaceX blocked Russian forces from accessing Starlink. Zelensky said the move contributed to the Ukrainian military’s battlefield successes this year.

(kyivindependent, lud)