A Russian agent who activated more than 1,000 Starlink devices for the enemy was detained in Dnipro
In Dnipro, the Security Service of Ukraine detained a man suspected of aiding Russian intelligence agencies. According to the SBU, he organized a scheme to illegally activate more than 1,000 Starlink satellite communication systems for the enemy’s use.
Law enforcement officials claim that the man used the personal information of front men and registered the terminals through post offices. After the scheme was uncovered, all illegally registered Starlink systems were blocked.
The Military Counterintelligence Directorate of the Security Service of Ukraine detained a man in Dnipro who is alleged to be an agent of Russian intelligence services. According to investigators, he helped Russia gain access to Starlink satellite communication systems. The SBU reported that the man came to the attention of Russian intelligence agencies through Telegram channels where people were being recruited for “easy money.” After making contact with representatives of the Russian Federation, he was tasked with organizing the illegal registration of satellite equipment.
According to the investigation, the man initially registered one Starlink system using his own personal information. Later, a Russian handler tasked him with recruiting as many people as possible to covertly activate other terminals.
To do this, the suspect began using other people’s personal information. The satellite communication systems were activated through postal service offices, where the registration process was carried out using someone else’s information. “The Security Service of Ukraine’s Military Counterintelligence detained a Russian agent in Dnipro who, on the enemy’s orders, organized a large-scale scheme for the illegal verification of Starlink systems,” the SBU reported.
Over 1,000 terminals for the enemy
Law enforcement officials determined that over 1,000 satellite communication systems were activated through this organized scheme. The SBU notes that such actions could have posed risks regarding the use of Starlink by individuals who lacked legal grounds for accessing the equipment.
After the agent was exposed, Ukrainian intelligence agencies blocked all Starlink stations that had been illegally registered as a result of his actions. The agency emphasized that efforts to uncover similar schemes are ongoing, as Russia is actively attempting to use various methods to gain access to technology and information.
What is known about the detainee
According to the SBU, the detainee is a native of the Luhansk region. He came to the attention of Russian intelligence agencies through online resources offering quick money. During a search of the man’s residence, law enforcement officers seized a smartphone. According to the investigation, the device contained evidence of his contacts with representatives of the Russian Federation and his execution of their tasks.
SBU officials stated that they had documented the man’s activities and detained him after gathering the necessary evidence.
What punishment does the suspect face?
Investigators from the Security Service informed the detainee that he is suspected of violating Part 1 of Article 111-2 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine—aiding an aggressor state. If the man is found guilty in court, he could face criminal charges for aiding Russia in the war against Ukraine. Investigations are currently underway to establish all the circumstances of the case and identify any other possible participants in the scheme.
Why Starlink Is Important During War
Starlink systems have become one of the most important means of communication during a full-scale war. They provide stable internet access even in areas where conventional infrastructure has been damaged. The Ukrainian military, government agencies, and critical infrastructure use satellite communications to operate in combat conditions.
That is why monitoring the lawful use of such systems is a vital part of security. Illegal activation of the equipment could pose risks of it being used to benefit the enemy.
What is known so far
The SBU states that the scheme involving the illegal activation of Starlink has been stopped. All detected terminals that were registered through the suspect have been blocked. Law enforcement officials are continuing their investigation and are checking whether the man had accomplices and whether other individuals may have been involved in this activity.
The Security Service emphasizes that during the war, Russia’s attempts to recruit Ukrainians online and use them for its own purposes remain one of the main threats. The SBU reported this on Facebook.
