Ukraine awarded Elon Musk, owner of SpaceX, its highest state honour on Wednesday after his company’s Starlink satellite internet service played a critical role in sustaining communications during Russia’s invasion.
President Volodymyr Zelenskiy signed a decree granting Musk the Order of Freedom, citing his "outstanding personal contributions to protecting human life and freedom" and fostering ties between Ukraine and the United States. The award was published on the presidential website.
Starlink terminals have been instrumental for Ukrainian forces, enabling battlefield communications and drone operations. Kyiv has sought to expand Starlink’s use over Russian territory to target military assets, including ballistic missile launchers responsible for strikes on Ukrainian cities. Zelenskiy noted that Musk initially opposed such use, calling it a "major escalation," but indicated recent feedback has been more supportive.
In July, Ukraine’s former Defence Minister Mykhailo Fedorov was dismissed from his post. Earlier this year, Fedorov had requested Musk deactivate thousands of Russian-registered Starlink terminals operating in Ukraine, a move Musk complied with. Starlink service was activated over Ukraine shortly after Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022.
