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Dmitry Rogozin, head of Roscosmos Federal Space Agency, made the bold claims about the SpaceX founder on Monday when he appeared on state-run television.

Mr Rogozin, who used to be Deputy Prime Minister, said Mr Musk deliberately undercut rocket launch prices to “squeeze Russia out of this market”.

He claimed the US Department of Defence “pays him on average $150million for every launch”.

The agency boss added: “He’s paid extra to enter the market with a cheaper product.