Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Wednesday awarded Elon Musk the country's Order of Freedom, one of Ukraine's highest state honors, for his "outstanding personal merits" in protecting human life and freedom and strengthening ties with the United States.
Musk, founder of aerospace company SpaceX, has become one of the most influential and controversial private-sector figures in Ukraine's war effort. His decision to provide Ukraine with access to Starlink, SpaceX's satellite internet service, was crucial after Russia launched its full-scale invasion in 2022 and remains important to the country.
Starlink is now deeply integrated into Ukraine's military operations, with troops relying on the satellite network to communicate and coordinate missions.
Musk's decisions could also affect Ukraine's future military capabilities. While Starlink is available to Ukrainian forces in their own territory, including Russian-occupied areas, its use inside Russia has been restricted.
Zelenskyy wants Musk to reconsider the restriction, saying it would help Ukrainian forces keep satellite links during longer-range drone attacks on Russian military and economic targets.
Musk made no immediate comment on the award, which was announced through a presidential decree.
Musk restricts Starlink use in Russia
Starlink has been incorporated into Ukraine's drone operations, allowing operators to maintain connections with drones and guide them over longer distances.
Ukraine's access to the service has been a key factor behind the early success of its medium-range drone campaign, which surprised Russian forces and disrupted their logistics earlier this year.
The attacks have increased pressure on Russian supply routes in Crimea and helped give Ukrainian forces some battlefield momentum that they had not seen since their successful counteroffensives around Kherson and Kharkiv in late 2022.
Earlier this year, SpaceX blocked unauthorized Starlink terminals used by Russian forces in occupied Ukrainian territory, further strengthening Ukraine's position.
Musk's growing influence over Ukraine
Musk is both an important partner for Kyiv and a potential source of vulnerability. As Starlink has become a key part of Ukraine's wartime communications, Musk and SpaceX have considerable influence over how the technology can be used.
Zelenskyy has sought US assistance in persuading Musk to allow Ukraine to expand its use of Starlink beyond its borders. Zelenskyy said last week that Musk considers such a move a major and dangerous escalation.
Musk's influence spills into politics
A reported misunderstanding over whether SpaceX had approved Ukraine's use of Starlink for operations inside Russia contributed to tensions between Zelenskyy and then-Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov, who was the government's main contact with Musk.
Fedorov was dismissed in July as part of a wider government reshuffle.
Zelenskyy said incorrect information from the Defense Ministry that SpaceX had approved the request contributed to an awkward exchange with US President Donald Trump, who accused the Ukrainian leader of misleading him. Zelenskyy did not say when the incident took place.
He said last week that the incident contributed to "some of the steps" taken against Fedorov, without directly accusing him of deliberately giving false information.
Fedorov's dismissal also underscored the growing political importance of Musk's role in Ukraine's war effort.