Putin Calls Musk a 'True Genius,' Says Russia Coordinates With Him on Satellites

Image: Collected

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday praised SpaceX chief Elon Musk as "a real genius" and said Moscow maintains close contact with him and other American partners on coordinating low-Earth-orbit satellite networks, despite political tensions between the two countries.

Putin made the remarks while touring an exhibition at the Russia-Africa Summit in Moscow, where Digital Development Minister Maksut Shadayev presented Rassvet, Russia's state-backed answer to Musk's Starlink satellite internet constellation.

'A Real Genius'

"Elon Musk is a genius, he's just a real genius," Putin said, according to Reuters. "How many of those [satellites] does he have in orbit? More than 5,000, while we're only taking our first steps."

The Russian leader said Moscow remains in "close contact with our American partners, including with Mr. Musk, because in orbit it is very important not to interfere with one another and observe a certain discipline and order."

Rassvet: Russia's Starlink Rival

Putin described Rassvet as a "Russian equivalent" of Starlink and acknowledged the project is still in its early stages. The constellation, developed by Bureau 1440, put its first 16 production satellites into orbit in March, with a second batch of 16 launched in July.

Independent tracking databases put the system's total at just over 30 satellites so far — a fraction of the more than 5,000 Starlink satellites Putin credited to Musk. Moscow has promised round-the-clock coverage, but that would require more than 250 satellites.

Summit Backdrop

Putin's comments came on the first day of the third Russia-Africa Summit, co-chaired by Putin and Burundian President Evariste Ndayishimiye, the current African Union chair. Delegations from 48 of Africa's 54 countries confirmed attendance, with 22 led by heads of state, according to Kremlin aide Yury Ushakov.

Participants are expected to adopt an action plan for 2027-2029 and a declaration on civilian use of artificial intelligence.