Zelenskyy awards Order of Merit to Elon Musk

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has bestowed the prestigious Order of Merit upon Elon Musk, the billionaire founder of SpaceX. The award recognizes Musk's "outstanding personal achievements in defending human life and freedom and in developing relations between the peoples of Ukraine and the United States."

The decision comes amid Musk's complex and often controversial role concerning the conflict in Ukraine. In April 2024, Musk suggested on the platform X that Ukraine's potential accession to NATO could lead to nuclear war, commenting on a video about Ukraine becoming an alliance member. He likened the scenario to the start of a nuclear apocalypse film.

“

for outstanding personal achievements in defending human life and freedom and in developing relations between the peoples of Ukraine and the United States

SpaceX, Musk's aerospace company, has also been involved in providing critical communication infrastructure to Ukraine through its Starlink satellite internet service. In late January, facing increased Russian use of Starlink terminals in drone attacks, SpaceX began implementing measures to block Russian access to the network. Ukraine's then-Minister of Defense, Mykhailo Fedorov, announced plans for a "whitelist" of approved Starlink terminals permitted for use within the country.

More recently, reports indicate Ukraine has sought Musk's approval to utilize Starlink-equipped drones for striking Russian ballistic missile launch sites deep within Russian territory, up to 200 kilometers. These drones leverage SpaceX's satellite network for more reliable communication over longer distances than traditional radio channels, while also offering greater protection against jamming. Analysts believe such drones could prove highly effective in locating Russian missile launchers if deployed beyond Ukraine's borders.

“

That's how the movie about nuclear apocalypse begins.