Two residents of Lviv have been notified of suspicion in connection with the unlawful registration of Starlink terminals, which were subsequently used by representatives of the russian federation to conduct combat operations against Ukraine. This was reported by the Lviv Regional Prosecutor’s Office.
According to the investigation, in May 2026 two Lviv residents aged 26 and 20 organised a scheme for the registration and verification of 14 Starlink satellite communication terminals using front persons. Via the Telegram messenger they established contact with an individual who offered them a cash reward for cooperating with the aggressor state. The suspects’ task was to ensure the official registration and authorisation of the equipment.
To implement the scheme, the men involved 14 citizens who, according to the investigation, were unaware of the organisers’ unlawful intentions. The terminals were registered and the required verification carried out using their personal data. To do this, it was sufficient to provide a photo of the device box with the serial number indicated, which allowed the actual users to remain outside the official registration procedure.
It has been established that the terminals themselves were located in temporarily occupied territory of Ukraine, where official restrictions on their use apply. The Lviv residents received payment for their services after passing to the handler the data required for terminal authorisation. At present, all unlawfully connected devices that have been identified are blocked, and the legality of the verification of more than 40 additional terminals is being checked.
Under the procedural guidance of the Lviv Regional Prosecutor’s Office, both men have been notified of suspicion of deliberate actions aimed at assisting the aggressor state, its armed formations and occupation administration by transferring other assets to representatives of the aggressor state, committed by a group of persons upon prior conspiracy (Part 2 of Article 28, Part 1 of Article 111-2 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine). At the request of the prosecution, the suspects have been placed in pre-trial detention with no right to bail.
“Enabling the enemy to use Starlink enhances its capabilities on the battlefield. Such communications facilitate rapid coordination of units, information exchange and drone control. This creates additional threats for Ukrainian service personnel and complicates the execution of combat missions,” noted the head of the department for overseeing compliance with the law by the regional security agency of the Lviv Regional Prosecutor’s Office, Nazar Markiv.
The pre-trial investigation in the criminal proceedings is being conducted by the Lviv Regional Directorate of the Security Service of Ukraine. Investigative actions are ongoing, with all the circumstances of the crime and other individuals who may be involved in the offence being established.
Pursuant to Article 62 of the Constitution of Ukraine, a person is presumed innocent of committing a crime and may not be subjected to criminal punishment until their guilt has been proven in the manner prescribed by law and established by a guilty verdict of a court.