Billionaire Tesla and SpaceX founder Elon Musk mocked Russian President Vladimir Putin in a Monday morning tweet as his country’s forces continue their punishing assault on Ukraine.
He posted his challenge of engaging Putin in “single combat” to the Kremlin’s English Twitter account, in part using Russian letters.
“I hereby challenge Vladimir Putin to single combat,” Musk tweeted, using the Russian alphabet to spell Putin’s name.
“Stakes are Ukraine,” he added, writing the country’s name in Ukrainian.
I hereby challenge
Владимир Путин
to single combatStakes are Україна
— Elon Musk
The billionaire entrepreneur’s post was followed by two more posts. In one, he claimed in response to a user’s question that he was “absolutely serious” about his challenge.
I am absolutely serious
— Elon Musk
In another post directly following up on his original one, Musk added in Russian, “Do you agree to this fight?”
Вы согласны на этот бой?
— Elon Musk
Musk’s challenge comes after he delivered scores of Starlink satellite internet systems to the beleaguered country at the request of government officials.
His response came following a request on Twitter from Mykhailo Fedorov, the Vice Prime Minister of Ukraine, who tweeted: “, while you try to colonize Mars — Russia try to occupy Ukraine! While your rockets successfully land from space — Russian rockets attack Ukrainian civil people! We ask you to provide Ukraine with Starlink stations and to address sane Russians to stand.”
“Starlink service is now active in Ukraine,” Musk responded. “More terminals en route.”
He followed that delivery up with an “important” usage warning.
“Important warning: Starlink is the only non-Russian communications system still working in some parts of Ukraine, so probability of being targeted is high. Please use with caution,” he wrote on Twitter.
“Turn on Starlink only when needed and place antenna away as far away from people as possible,” he noted further, adding: “Place light camouflage over antenna to avoid visual detection.”
Place light camouflage over antenna to avoid visual detection
— Elon Musk
“Received the second shipment of Starlink stations! keeps his word!” Mykhailo Fedorov, the Vice Prime Minister of Ukraine, tweeted later. “Thank you for supporting Ukraine and peace in the entire world! thanks!”
Received the second shipment of Starlink stations! keeps his word! Thank you for supporting Ukraine and peace in the entire world! thanks!
— Mykhailo Fedorov
“You’re welcome,” Musk responded. “We have also sent power adapters for car cigarette lighters, solar/battery packs and generators for places where electricity is not available.”
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