Elon Musk has reportedly been in secret communication with Russian President Vladimir Putin since 2022, causing concerns during the ongoing U.S. election campaign.

Musk's influence extends beyond politics, utilizing his social media platform X and his tech company SpaceX, which has significant government contracts and access to classified information. Musk's Starlink satellite internet service has played a crucial role in Ukraine's defense against Russian aggression, initially providing free access to the system. However, relations with Ukrainian authorities have deteriorated, leading Musk to stop funding for terminals and restrict military use of Starlink for drone operations.

In late 2022, Musk faced criticism after tweeting peace proposals aligned with the Kremlin, which were strongly opposed by Ukrainian officials, including President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Recent reports from Ukrainian military intelligence suggest that Musk's satellite service is now being used by Russian forces on the front lines. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov confirmed that the only communication between Musk and the Kremlin involved a discussion on space and technology. Meanwhile, U.S. administration officials seem to be largely unaware of Musk's contacts with the Kremlin, as reported by The Wall Street Journal. Musk has not publicly addressed these revelations.