Zelensky awards Elon Musk the Order of Freedom

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky signed a decree on Tuesday awarding businessman Elon Musk the Order of Freedom. The document states the award recognizes outstanding personal achievements in defending human life and freedom, as well as contributions to strengthening relations between the Ukrainian and American peoples.

A complicated history

The decision to grant Musk this high honor comes despite a relationship with Ukraine that has not always been smooth. In April 2024, Musk stated on the platform X that Ukraine's accession to NATO would lead to nuclear war. He made the comment while reacting to a video in which then-US Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced that Ukraine would become a member of the alliance — Musk compared the scenario to the opening of a nuclear apocalypse film.

Starlink's role in the war

The award is closely tied to Starlink, the satellite internet service operated by Musk's company SpaceX, which has become an important tool for Ukraine's defense. In late January, as Russian attack drones increasingly relied on Starlink terminals, SpaceX began taking steps to cut off Russian access to the network. Ukraine's then-defense minister Mykhailo Fedorov later announced plans to create a 'white list' of approved Starlink terminals, restricting which devices could operate within the country.

It recently emerged that Ukraine is seeking permission to use Starlink-equipped drones against Russian ballistic missile launch sites up to 200 kilometers inside Russian territory. According to the Financial Times, citing its sources, such a move would require Musk's personal approval. Starlink-equipped drones provide operators with more reliable communication over longer distances and greater resistance to jamming than conventional radio channels, and have already proven effective on the battlefield in Ukraine.