Vladimir Putin has described Elon Musk as “a real genius” just weeks after the tech billionaire slowed down his Starlink satellite service over Ukraine.

The Russian president praised Mr Musk for his work in space, and said his government was in close contact with him.

Putin made the remark while listening to a presentation by Maksut Shadayev, the digital development minister, who said Russia had launched more than 30 satellites as it builds a Starlink equivalent.

Read more: Putin hails Musk as ‘real genius’ after Starlink slowdown