Relatives’ and Acquaintances’ Data for Starlink in Russia’s Favor: 18-Year-Old Faces Life in Prison

Ukraine’s Security Service counterintelligence foiled an attempt to register 148 Starlink satellite communication terminals for Russian military personnel. An 18-year-old man suspected of collaborating with the FSB was detained in Kyiv. According to the SBU, the equipment was intended to support preparations for combat operations in Donetsk and Zaporizhzhia regions. The Security Service of Ukraine announced this on October 14, 2026.

According to investigators, the detainee is a former student at a Kyiv college, where he trained as an electric welder. He came to the attention of Russian intelligence after seeking quick money in Telegram channels. An FSB officer contacted him in one of the chats and offered him cooperation in exchange for the promise of easy money.

According to the SBU, within a few days of being recruited, the young man registered 15 Starlink terminals using the passport details of relatives and acquaintances. He also prepared fake personal details required to register another 133 devices. Counterintelligence officers exposed the suspect, documented his activities, and detained him near a post office. According to investigators, he was planning to activate another batch of internet terminals there.

At the same time, the SBU blocked devices that had already been registered. The suspect had sent their registration details to his Russian handler via a messaging app. During searches, officers seized several smartphones that, according to law enforcement, contain evidence of his cooperation with Russian intelligence.

SBU investigators notified the young man that he is suspected of committing high treason under Part 2 of Article 111 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine during martial law. He faces life imprisonment with confiscation of property. The suspect is currently in custody without the right to bail.

We previously reported:

• SBU detains FSB agents in Kyiv: they registered 76 Starlink terminals to guide missiles and drones
• Starlink for occupiers for $100: SBU exposes 8 Russian agents recruited through Telegram
• SBU detains Russian agent who attempted to carry out a terrorist attack in Mykolaiv
• Life sentence for $30: couple agreed to help Russians register Starlink terminals
• A new sky for attacks: Russia is creating its own Starlink to control drones