Award and Decree
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has awarded Elon Musk the Order of Freedom, one of Ukraine's highest state honors, in a presidential decree that praises the tech mogul for "protecting people's lives and freedom, and developing relations between the peoples of Ukraine and the United States of America." The decree, reported by Politico Europe, also credits Musk's "outstanding personal merits," according to ABC Australia. There was no immediate comment from Musk on the award, as reported by both outlets.
The Order of Freedom is often given to foreign leaders for their support of Ukraine. Recent recipients include French President Emmanuel Macron, British Prime Minister Andy Burnham, and Lithuanian President Gitanas Nausėda, according to Politico Europe.
Starlink's Role in Ukraine's War Effort
Musk's Starlink satellite internet service has been a critical communications tool for Ukrainian forces and civilians since Russia's full-scale invasion in 2022, as reported by ABC Australia and Politico Europe. The service has helped Ukrainian forces maintain communications and coordinate operations, and has become deeply embedded in military operations, according to ABC Australia.
Earlier this year, SpaceX disabled thousands of Starlink terminals used by Russian forces, a move that weakened their military capabilities, as reported by Politico Europe. ABC Australia adds that SpaceX accepted Kyiv's pleas to block unauthorized terminals used by Russian forces in occupied territory, strengthening Ukraine's position.
Negotiations Over Starlink Use in Russia
The award comes amid ongoing efforts by Ukraine to persuade Musk to allow Starlink use within Russian territory. Such access would enable longer-range drone strikes and improve the accuracy of missile and drone attacks deep inside Russia, as reported by both ABC Australia and Politico Europe.
Zelenskyy said Musk has called allowing Starlink over Russian territory an escalation, according to both outlets. "But he may change his mind when he sees more arguments," Zelenskyy told journalists, as quoted by Politico Europe and ABC Australia.
ABC Australia notes that Musk has allowed Starlink use within Ukraine, including in Russian-occupied regions, but has restricted its use inside Russia. The outlet also reports that a mix-up over Starlink approval for operations inside Russia contributed to tensions between Zelenskyy and then-Defense Minister Fedorov, who was dismissed in July as part of a broader government shake-up.
Broader Impact
Starlink has been integral to Ukraine's drone campaign, which caught Russian forces off guard and undermined their logistics, including in Crimea, according to ABC Australia. The campaign has given Ukraine a degree of battlefield momentum not seen since its successful counteroffensives around Kherson and Kharkiv in late 2022, the outlet reports.
ABC Australia characterizes Musk as both a crucial partner and a potential source of vulnerability and dependence for Ukraine, noting that his decisions have direct consequences for the military and that Kyiv must preserve a positive relationship with him.