MOSCOW — US tech tycoon Elon Musk is “truly a genius” for deploying thousands of satellites into orbit, President Vladimir Putin said yesterday, as Moscow seeks to develop its own satellite internet network.

The American tech titan is the owner of SpaceX, that launches rockets for Nasa and runs the Starlink communications network.

Russia, a spacefaring power, has long sought to develop its own satellite internet constellation for both civilian and military use.

Putin’s comments come amid a spat between Ukraine and the United States over access to Starshield, a military-grade satellite network powered by Musk’s SpaceX.

“Elon Musk is a genius, truly a genius,” Putin said while touring an exhibition on the sidelines of a Russia-Africa summit in Moscow.

“He has how many units in orbit...? More than 5,000. And we’re taking our first steps,” he added.

“We are in close contact with our American partners, including Mr. Musk, because it is crucial in orbit not to interfere with one another.”