24 February 2026
(PHOTO: SBU)
SBU counterintelligence and cyber specialists have exposed two Ukrainian citizens in Odesa region who were recruited by the enemy to illegally register Starlink systems.
According to the SBU press service, two residents of Izmail were detained: A 36-year-old unemployed man and his 28-year-old unemployed partner. They came to the attention of Russian special services through Telegram channels looking for easy money.
As the investigation revealed, representatives of the aggressor state offered the offenders USD 30 for the illegal registration of each Starlink terminal used by representatives of the Russian Federation.
In order to activate more such devices, the offenders tried to involve other persons in the scheme. In particular, it was established that they were going to recruit some local drug addicts to go to the Center for Administrative Services.
During the searches, their cell phones with evidence of working for the enemy were seized. Among other things, the electronic devices of the suspects documented correspondence with Russian curators, instructions on the mechanism of legalization of equipment, as well as coordination of ways to receive remuneration.
<span class="ratio ratio-16x9">
VIDEO: SBU
Based on the collected materials, the SBU investigators served the detainees a notice of suspicion of high treason committed under martial law by a group of persons by prior conspiracy. A custody was chosen as a measure of restraint for both suspects. If found guilty, the detainees face imprisonment for a term of fifteen years or life imprisonment with confiscation of property.
According to the SBU, the Russians act both directly - posting ads with relevant requests for registration on the Internet - and resort to manipulation. They also impersonate the Ukrainian military, who allegedly purchased Starlink at their own expense and are currently unable to register it, so they are asking Ukrainian citizens for help.
Кирило Бойко