Zelensky rebukes Musk over sympathy for Russian occupiers

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky criticized American billionaire Elon Musk's attitude toward Russian military personnel in Ukraine, saying he hopes Russian soldiers die as they are aggressors on foreign territory. In an interview with ZDF, Zelensky stated Ukraine dislikes Musk's views on the war and his reflections on Russian soldier losses. He emphasized that Russian troops are occupiers, not fighting on their own land, and dismissed any notion of joking. In October, Musk wrote on X that the "endless slaughter of Ukrainians and Russians must stop," urging sympathy for Russian conscripts he called children with no choice. Earlier, Putin claimed Russia maintains close contact with the US in space, including with Musk.