The Wall Street Journal (WSJ), citing unnamed sources, reported on October 25, that business tycoon Elon, one of the wealthiest people in the world has been in regular communication with Russian President Vladimir Putin, and other Kremlin official since late 2022.
Musk, the founder and CEO SpaceX and owner of social media platform X came out in support for Ukraine at the beginning of the full-scale attack in 2022. He donated Starlink communication terminals which greatly assisted Ukrainian defenders.
Later in the war, his views gradually shifted to pro-Russian positions. The billionaire also prevented Ukraine from using Starlink Terminals for strikes against the Russian Fleet. He has also complained about “losing money’ by providing Starlink services to Ukraine.
The business tycoon who has backed Donald Trump‘s campaign for Republican presidential nominee has denied previously sympathizing with Moscow. He claimed that he spoke with Putin just once in April 2021, about space-related issues.
Former and current European, U.S. and Russian officials told WSJ that Musk had held further conversations since late 2022 with Putin and other senior Kremlin officials.
According to reports, this included Sergei Kiriyenko – Putin’s first vice chief of staff – who was named as the leading figure in Russian propaganda and disinformation.
Since Musk bought X (formerly Twitter), experts have noted a sharp increase in disinformation, hate speeches, and radical, pro-authoritarian, content on the platform.
Musk, a frequent user of the platform, used it this year to speak out against a Ukraine aid law that was passed earlier in the year. He also said that “there’s no way” that Russia can lose the war.
The WSJ reported that Putin asked Musk to refrain from activating Starlink in Taiwan as a favour to Beijing, who claims the island to be its sovereign territory. Starlink is not currently active in Taiwan.
The Kremlin denied communicating with Musk and White House officials informed the WSJ that they were not aware of this. Musk did not respond when the WSJ asked for comment.
According to WSJ, Musk’s access as a major contractor in security and technology has allowed him to have sensitive information.
SpaceX, the company that operates Starlink, received a classified $1.8billion contract in 2021. The contract was reportedly for the construction of a spy satellite network for U.S. Intelligence.
Musk’s security was also questioned due to Russia’s increased use of Starlink terminals purchased through third-party countries. This is a move that will boost Russian forces in Ukraine’s eastern region.
Musk said that SpaceX would not be operating in Russia and that it does not sell equipment to Moscow.
Musk is a vocal supporter Trump and even joined him at a rally held in Pennsylvania early in October. Former president said he would appoint Musk as the head of a “government effectiveness commission” if Trump wins the election.
Trump has previously criticised the support that the Biden administration provided to Ukraine. This has caused fears that he may withdraw Washington’s backing if reelected on November 5.
Former and current Europeans, Americans, and Russian officials told The WSJ that Musk had conversations with Putin and high-ranking Kremlin official since late 2022.
Volodymyr Zelensky, the President of Ukraine, said that Ukraine’s economy and social protection, as well as “the issue” of justice, need to be strengthened.
This includes 1,630 casualties that Russian forces have suffered in the last day.
In a speech to foreign journalists, Vladimir Putin of Russia appeared to acknowledge in an indirect manner the reports that North Korean troops were in Russia on October 24. He referred to a mutual defense clause in the newly signed security agreement between Russia and North Korea.
Reuters reported that Western sanctions against Russia’s Ozernoye Zinc Mine have left the company unable to replace the key equipment required to boost production.
The chief of the national police in the country said that on October 24, Moscow had funneled $39 million into a scheme run by a pro Russian oligarch to influence election results by paying ordinary people to vote against closer relations with the West.
Olaf Scholz, German Chancellor, said that a country in war cannot be a NATO member. He made this statement to German public broadcaster ZDF.
In August, Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin visited Tashkent to discuss with Uzbek officials the possibility of joining the EAEU. Russian President Vladimir Putin called it the “new center of a multipolar universe.”
Pellegrini said, “We agreed with the German Chancellor that the issue of Ukraine’s accession today is not on the agenda and cannot be brought to the agenda.”
Ruslan Muzychuk said on national television that Russian troops were attempting to establish crossings at the Oskil River in order to advance towards the city of Kupiansk, Kharkiv Oblast.
Ukraine’s military intelligence reported on October 24 that the first North Korean soldiers who will be fighting alongside Russian forces against Ukraine are now in Kursk Oblast.
Officials from the administration of U.S. president Joe Biden raised the possibility that these sanctions could be imposed during a G7 meeting of deputy finance ministers on October 22 in Washington D.C.
The bill to end daylight saving time was passed by the Ukrainian Parliament on July 16. The Ukrainians will set their clocks one hour back for the last time in October 2024. They will not return to summer time in the spring of 2025.
The French media La Lettre reported that Auchan, one the few French chains operating in Russia still, is in final talks to sell its Russian affiliate to a local buyer.
South Korean law prohibits exporting weapons to active conflict areas, but Seoul has hinted repeatedly that this could be changed in light of the deepening of military cooperation between Russia & North Korea.
An RSF source told Reuters that the aircraft was an Il-74 transport jet used to deliver weapons, ammunition, and supplies to the city Al Fashir, Sudan, where the Sudanese Army is trying to repel RSF attacks.
Eight women and three males were injured. Oleh Simiehubov, the governor of the region, said that a 73-year old woman died from severe injuries.
The General Staff announced on October 24 that Ukrainian military, lawmakers and experts discussed creating a separate branch within Ukraine’s Armed Forces to be dedicated to cyberspace activities.
Lin Jian, a spokesperson for the Beijing Foreign Ministry, made the statement in spite of the fact that the U.S.A., Seoul and Kyiv have all confirmed their presence over the past few days.
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