Elon Musk, founder of SpaceX, has emerged as a central, if controversial, private figure in Ukraine's defense effort The Ukrainian President awarded the world's richest man one of Ukraine’s highest state honors, citing his “outstanding personal merits." Key points and original sources are listed below.

• Elon Musk, founder of SpaceX, has emerged as a central, if controversial, private figure in Ukraine's defense effortS1

• The Ukrainian President awarded the world's richest man one of Ukraine’s highest state honors, citing his “outstanding personal merits."S2

• Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has awarded Elon Musk the Order of Freedom for his role in supporting UkraineS3

• Zelenskyy honours Elon Musk with Order of Freedom for Starlink roleS4

• U.S. tech titan Elon Musk received a top honor as Ukraine tries to convince him to allow SpaceX's Starlink system to be used in strikes inside Russia.S5

• Tech billionaire reluctant to allow satellite system to be used for drone strikes deep inside RussiaS6