The president of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelensky, has granted the Order of Freedom to the American businessman Elon Musk, in recognition of his role in the protection of human life and freedom within the framework of the ties between the United States and Ukraine.
According to a presidential decree, Zelensky's office formalizes the distinction to the magnate, CEO of SpaceX and Tesla, highlighting his "outstanding personal merits in the protection of human life and freedom, and in the development of relations between the peoples of Ukraine and the United States of America."
Musk has played a relevant role in the war in Ukraine at different moments of the conflict due to the use of Starlink, the satellite broadband Internet service. He first made headlines for the donations to Kiev of terminals that allowed military communications to be sustained, and later, at the beginning of 2026, for blocking access to the system for Russian forces, who were using it to operate drones on the battlefield.
The Order of Freedom, created in 2008, is a state distinction that recognizes the special merits of citizens who contribute to strengthening the sovereignty and independence of Ukraine. Among the awardees are several international leaders, such as the French president, Emmanuel Macron, the president of Finland, Alexander Stubb, and the Italian prime minister, Giorgia Meloni. King Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden was the first recipient of this honor.
The insignia of the Order of Freedom consists of a golden silver cross with divergent arms. The sides of the cross are covered with white enamel and adorned with four rectangular-shaped artificial Swarovski crystals, and it incorporates the coat of arms of Ukraine, with the characteristic trident, Tryzub, accompanied by stylized floral motifs.