Putin says he is in "close contact" with Musk over Rassvet

Vladimir Putin said on 29 October 2026 that he and Elon Musk are in "close contact" about Rassvet, Russia's satellite internet project and answer to Starlink, SpaceX's broadband constellation. Speaking at the Russia-Africa Summit, Putin called Musk "a genius, truly a genius." He said Musk already has more than 5,000 satellites in orbit, while Russia is taking its first steps.