[58355] Summer arrest for aiding Russian forces: Military deserter registered Starlink devices for the enemy

Arrest for technological assistance to occupation forces

The Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) arrested in the summer a soldier who had deserted from his military service in the Kharkiv region, on suspicion of assisting the Russian army in operating communication systems. According to the report by the Реальний Київ | Украина channel, the suspect worked to register "Starlink" terminals for Russian entities in exchange for a payment of about $100 per registration.

The channel notes that the suspect, after abandoning his unit, sought ways for "quick profits" and thereby attracted the attention of Russian intelligence. The deserter's plan included registering devices under his name and the names of his acquaintances, with the goal of recruiting about 20 more people into this scheme. Authorities in Ukraine confirmed that all devices registered by the suspect were blocked by the competent authorities.

In an additional report by the Київ | Times channel, the Prosecutor's Office notes that the suspect was caught "red-handed" during his activities. According to Київ | Times, the deserter confessed that he began working for Russia after deserting from the army ranks (an AWOL offense). Both channels, identified with local news coverage in Kyiv, emphasize that this is a thwarting of a Russian attempt to use Western satellite internet technology for operational needs on the battlefield.