Zelenskyy awarded Elon Musk the Order of Freedom
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy signed a decree awarding the founder of SpaceX and Tesla companies Elon Musk with the highest Ukrainian state award for foreigners — the Order of Freedom.
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy signed a decree awarding the founder of SpaceX and Tesla companies Elon Musk with the highest Ukrainian state award for foreigners — the Order of Freedom.
The corresponding decree No. 835/2026 was published on the website of the Office of the President. The American entrepreneur and engineer was honored for «outstanding personal achievements in protecting human life and freedom,» as well as for developing relations between the peoples of Ukraine and the United States of America.
The Order of Freedom is the highest order of Ukraine that can be awarded to foreigners and stateless persons. The award is intended to recognize special merits in establishing the sovereignty and independence of Ukraine, developing democracy, and upholding constitutional human rights and freedoms.
As of August 2026, 97 people, including 36 foreign recipients, have been awarded the Order of Freedom. Previous recipients of the award include former British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, former US President Joe Biden, and French President Emmanuel Macron.
Previously, Russian forces illegally purchased Starlink terminals through third countries for use on the front line and to equip drones. In response, the Ukrainian side, together with SpaceX, developed algorithms to block unauthorized devices in the combat zone.
«This could have been a disaster for us, because the shaheeds with Starlink are an opportunity to control each device with our hands, fly over roads, change trajectories beyond our radars and acoustic sensors, knock out all our F-16s, Patriots and hit all military targets. It was a big risk. And so we found a way: I had a conversation with Musk and explained why it was important to do this,» said former Defense Minister Mikhail Fedorov.
In late July, The Atlantic reported that Ukraine was seeking to expand its use of Starlink satellite communications to guide long-range drones to mobile ballistic missiles directly on Russian territory. According to the publication’s sources, former Defense Minister Mikhail Fedorov had prior agreements with Elon Musk.
According to Western media sources, Musk continues to deny Ukraine the use of the Starlink satellite system to target military targets inside Russia. Insiders report that the billionaire insists on the need for a peace agreement.
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Musk denied Ukraine the right to use Starlink to strike deep into Russia — media
Musk denied Ukraine the right to use Starlink to strike deep into Russia — media
«We talked a few days ago.» Fedorov continues to negotiate with Musk about using Starlink to strike Russian ballistic missiles on Russian territory
«We talked a few days ago.» Fedorov continues to negotiate with Musk about using Starlink to strike Russian ballistic missiles on Russian territory
Jumping off Elon Musk’s needle. How the world is challenging the Starlink monopoly and where does Ukraine fit into this race?
Jumping off Elon Musk’s needle. How the world is challenging the Starlink monopoly and where does Ukraine fit into this race?
