"Easy money" is over — pre-trial detention: a student who registered Starlink for Russians was detained in Mykolaiv
He could face up to life imprisonment for treason against the state
In Mykolaiv, law enforcement officers exposed a 19-year-old vocational school student suspected of treason. According to the investigation, the young man registered Starlink satellite terminals that were to be used by representatives of the aggressor state.
This was July 20, 2026 reported by the Mykolaiv Regional Prosecutor’s Office.
According to law enforcement, representatives of the Russian special services found the student via a Telegram channel where he was looking for a quick way to earn money. After his recruitment, the handler instructed him to register Starlink in his own name.
When registering the equipment, the young man stated that the terminal would allegedly be used for his personal household needs. In fact, according to the investigation, representatives of the Russian Federation were to gain access to the satellite communications.
The student then planned to register several more terminals. To do this, he intended to involve acquaintances and relatives who were not aware of the true purpose of registering the equipment.
SBU cyber specialists detained the suspect at his place of residence. During the search, they seized his mobile phone containing materials which, according to the prosecutor’s office, confirm cooperation with Russian special services.
Satellite terminals registered to the student and other persons were blocked. The Ministry of Digital Transformation of Ukraine added them to a blacklist so that the Russian occupiers could not use them.
The young man was notified of suspicion under part 2 of Article 111 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine — treason committed under martial law. The court chose pre-trial detention as a preventive measure, without the right to post bail.
If found guilty, the suspect faces 15 years of imprisonment or life imprisonment with confiscation of property.
Earlier we wrote:
- Leaked marines’ positions and an ammunition depot to the enemy: a platoon commander was sentenced to 15 years
- Starlink for the occupiers for $100: SBU exposed 8 Russian agents recruited via Telegram
- A Russian wife led her military husband to a handler: Korabelny court handed down a verdict for treason
- Life sentence for $30: an unemployed couple agreed to help Russians with Starlink registration
