At the Russia‑Africa summit on 28 Oct, President Vladimir Putin praised Elon Musk as a real genius while announcing that Russia has launched more than 30 satellites for a domestic broadband constellation. The Russian digital development minister said the project is in its first phase and will expand in quantity. Musk’s Starlink network operates over 5,000 low‑orbit satellites, with independent tracking suggesting nearly 10,000. Putin added that Russia stays in close contact with U.S. partners, including Musk, to prevent orbital interference. Ukraine has reported recent speed restrictions on Starlink that hampered its drone‑defence operations.
President Vladimir Putin holds talks with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani on Tuesday in Moscow, following a Gas Exporting Countries Forum hosted by the Kremlin. The meeting follows Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi’s remarks that it will build on Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov’s recent Tehran visit and aims to deepen political and economic ties. The forum also gathers African leaders and other gas‑producing nations, underscoring the strategic partnership between Russia and Iran.
US Energy Secretary Chris Wright said Washington may allow more Russian diesel onto the market, depending on Moscow's conduct. He framed the suspension of US sanctions on Russian diesel exports, announced earlier this month, as an incentive for Moscow to end the war in Ukraine. Under a deal between Trump and Putin, Russia is to export 800,000 metric tons of diesel in October and November, followed by another million tons. Analysts say the volumes are too small to materially lower prices against global demand of about 28 million barrels per day. Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has sharply criticised the deal.