Starlink, Elon Musk and Ukraine: What Is Really Behind Zelensky’s Sudden Award?

Volodymyr Zelensky’s unexpected decision to honor SpaceX CEO Elon Musk with Ukraine’s Order of Freedom has brought renewed attention to the way the Starlink satellite network operates in Ukraine and to the potential risks for Musk’s business empire. Zelensky Seeks Ways to Expand Starlink’s Capabilities Zelensky awarded Musk the Order of Freedom “for significant personal contributions to protecting people’s lives and freedom and developing relations between the peoples of Ukraine and the United States.” The award comes shortly after reports that Musk had rejected a Ukrainian request to support long-range strikes against targets on Russian territory through Starlink.