--- title: "Elon Musk Alarmed by Threat From Russian Space Program Chief" description: "Rogozin broadsided Musk for \"supplying the fascist forces in Ukraine with military communication equipment\" and demanded that he \"answer in an adult way.\"" date: "2022-05-09" modified: "2022-05-09" authors: - name: "Noor Al-Sibai" job_title: "Senior Staff Writer" link: "https://futurism.com/authors/nooralsibai" url: "https://futurism.com/the-byte/musk-rogozin-threat" categories: - "Elon Musk" - "Future Society" - "Off-World" - "Space" - "The Industrialists" tags: - "dmitry rogozin" - "elon musk" - "politics" - "starlink" - "the digest" - "ukraine" --- # Elon Musk Alarmed by Threat From Russian Space Program Chief ![Rogozin broadsided Musk for "supplying the fascist forces in Ukraine with military communication equipment" and demanded that he "answer in an adult way."]() *NEW YORK, NEW YORK - MAY 02: Elon Musk attends The 2022 Met Gala Celebrating "In America: An Anthology of Fashion" at The Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 2, 2022 in New York City. (Photo by Gotham/Getty Images) \Image: Getty Images\* ## Finger Pointing Elon Musk has enemies in high places — and they're not afraid to let him know it. In [a tweet last night](), the SpaceX and Tesla CEO pointed to [a media statement from Russian space chief Dmitry Rogozin](). The statement, which has been [picked up by the Russian media](), accuses Musk of providing SpaceX's Starlink internet equipment to the Azov Special Operations Detachment, a part of the Ukrainian military that's been [credibly linked to ]()[neo-Nazi movements]() — an ugly situation that Russia has cited [as part of its justification for it]() widely-condemned invasion of its neighbor. In the statement, Rogozin broadsided Musk for "supplying the fascist forces in Ukraine with military communication equipment" and demanded that he "answer in an adult way" in spite of his desire to "play the fool." In a followup tweet, [Musk said in a probable joke]() that if he dies "under mysterious circumstances, it’s been nice knowin ya." ## The Fight Continues Needless to say, there are difficult-to-unpack levels of complexity here. Azov's links to extremist white supremacist movements are inexcusable, but it's also actively fighting against an unconscionable invasion on Russia's part. Musk hasn't yet confirmed or denied that he provided Azov directly with Starlink equipment, though [a follow-up tweet suggests]() he doesn't believe the group — its [coat of arms includes what strongly appear to be two Nazi symbols]() — are really neo-Nazis. At the same time, though, he cryptically opined that "[there are no angels in war]()." The [feud between Musk and Rogozin]() has been [simmering for years now](), and reignited when Russia invaded Ukraine and the SpaceX czar decided to weigh in and, uh, [threaten Russian president Vladimir Putin](). There's no telling what direction their beef will take next, but if either of these combatants' past history is taken into account, you'd be ill advised to bet against the messiest outcome. **More on the Musk-Rogozin feud:** [*Russian Space Chief Responds to Elon Musk’s Challenge to Fight Putin*]() **More on the fallout of Russia's invasion of Ukraine:** [*Ukrainian Hackers Allegedly Cut Off Russian Soldiers’ Beloved Vodka Supply*]() ## Author At Futurism, I've often been drawn to unpacking the narratives that underlie technological, scientific and medical progress, with a special interest in areas of conflict and ambiguity that end up setting agendas and steering the fates of both elites and the hoi polloi. I'm a committed generalist, but I often find myself returning to work involving NASA and the private space sector, the effects of AI on media and society, and the mechanics of the pharmaceutical industry, with a specific focus on the spread of GLP-1 drugs like Ozempic and Wegovy. Prior to Futurism, I worked for publications ranging from Media Matters and Truthdig to Raw Story and Bustle. I'm also the author of "Myspace Scene Queens," a 2024 title in Instar Books' acclaimed "Remember the Internet" series. My work at Futurism has been cited by outlets including the New Yorker, Slate, Nieman Lab, the Verge, the MIT Technology Review, the Sunday Times, and the Daily Beast. I grew up in North Carolina, attended the University of North Carolina at Asheville, and now live in Brooklyn, New York. In my free time, I'm an avid reader and music fan; you can probably find me at a local poetry reading, concert, underground rave, or DJ set. I'm the proud parent of an ineffable orange cat named Mee-Mow. ### Author social links [Bluesky]()