The Security Service of Ukraine has detained another eight enemy agents who registered Starlink satellite terminals for the russian armed groupings.

The investigation revealed that the individuals involved were Ukrainian residents aged between 18 and 44 from several Ukrainian regions. They had come to the attention of the russian intelligence via Telegram channels advertising ‘easy money’.

In the Rivne region, two conscripts who had deserted their military unit were detained for collaborating with the enemy.

After the recruitment, the deserters first registered the Starlink terminals in their own names and passed on the relevant details to their russian handlers.

They then received instructions to involve as many people as possible in the illegal verification of the terminals.

To this end, the perpetrators used the passport details of at least 14 acquaintances under false pretences.

In the Dnipropetrovsk region, two suspects with previous convictions for theft and robbery were detained.

The perpetrators initially registered the Starlink terminals in their own names and passed on the details to a russian handler before involving a further 14 people in the illegal registration of the terminals.

In Volyn, an 18-year-old resident of the regional capital was exposed. He had registered a Starlink terminal in his own name, handed over access to russian operatives and recruited seven acquaintances to illegally activate satellite systems for the aggressor state.

Based on the evidence, SSU investigators notified the detainees of suspicion under several Articles of the CCU:

• 111.2 (high treason, committed under martial law);
• 111-2.1 (aiding an aggressor state);
• 408.4 (desertion).

The suspects face sentences ranging from 10 years’ imprisonment to life imprisonment with confiscation of property.

The operations were carried out under the procedural supervision of the Dnipropetrovsk and Volyn Regional Prosecutor’s Offices, as well as the Rivne Specialised Defence Prosecutor’s Office for the Western Region.