Man detained in Ukraine for activating over 1,000 Starlink terminals for Russian forces

A man has been detained in Dnipro by the Security Service of Ukraine for activating over 1,000 Starlink satellite communication systems on Russia's orders.

Source: Security Service of Ukraine (SSU)

Details: Acting on instructions from the Russians, the man ran a large-scale illegal Starlink verification scheme.

Investigators have found that the man, who was born in Ukraine's Luhansk Oblast, came to the attention of the Russian secret services through Telegram channels that were offering "easy money".

In exchange for cash, the suspect initially registered a Starlink terminal in his own name using personal details provided by his Russian handler.

He was subsequently instructed to recruit as many people as possible to assist with the verification of satellite equipment. To carry out this task, the suspect decided to activate Starlink systems at postal service branches using proxies' personal details.

The SSU found that the ringleader of the scheme used this method to verify over 1,000 satellite communication terminals for the Russians.

SSU officers exposed him, documented his crimes and detained him at his home. A smartphone containing evidence of his work for the Russians was seized during the search. The SSU has also blocked all the Starlink terminals that had been illegally registered by the perpetrator.

The suspect has been served with a notice of suspicion under Article 111-2.1 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine (aiding and abetting an aggressor state). He faces up to 12 years in prison.

Background:

• On 25 January, Serhii "Flash" Beskrestnov, a Ukrainian radio technology expert, reported that the Russians were likely to be using Starlink satellite internet on Shahed strike drones.
• American businessman Elon Musk responded to a request from former defence minister Mykhailo Fedorov to help resolve the issue of Starlink usage on Russian strike drones.
• Ukraine's Cabinet of Ministers passed a resolution implementing a "white list" for Starlink satellite terminals. Only verified and registered terminals now operate in Ukraine; all others were disconnected.
• In February, it was reported that Russian forces had reduced the frequency of assault operations along the front line following the agreement between Ukraine and SpaceX to block unregistered Starlink satellite internet terminals.
• According to the US Defense Intelligence Agency, an estimated 400 sq km of territory was regained during a Ukrainian counteroffensive earlier this year after thousands of portable Starlink internet terminals became unavailable to the Russians.

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