---
title: "Network of 1000 terminals: how the SBU in Dnipro exposed a large-scale scheme to bypass sanctions against Russia"
description: "The SBU in Dnipro exposed a Russian agent who activated more than 1000 Starlink terminals for the needs of the Russian army. The man used postal branches and fictitious persons to bypass sanctions. He now faces up to 12 years in prison. 🛰️🚫"
date: 2026-07-25T15:46:00.000Z
lang: en
url: https://xab.info/en/posts/sbu-dnipro-exposed-russian-agent-1000-starlink-terminals
tags: [sbu, ukraine, starlink, dnepr, elon-musk]
publisher: "XAB.info"
---

# Network of 1000 terminals: how the SBU in Dnipro exposed a large-scale scheme to bypass sanctions against Russia

![Detention of suspects involved in bypassing sanctions against Russia by SBU officers in Dnipro](https://xab.info/media/2026/07/25/sbu-dnepro-zaderzhala-agenta-rossii-1000-starlink/sbu-dnepro-zaderzhala-agenta-rossii-1000-starlink-1.webp)

On Saturday, July 25, a major case of espionage and sanctions violations erupted in Dnipro. The Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) detained a local resident who, on behalf of Russian intelligence agencies, organized a large-scale scheme for the illegal activation of Starlink satellite terminals for the Russian army. According to law enforcement, the suspect managed to legitimize more than 1000 communication systems, which were subsequently used by the enemy at the front.

### How the underground scheme worked

According to the investigation materials, the agent turned out to be a native of the Luhansk region. His recruitment took place through popular Telegram channels, where advertisements were published seeking people for "easy money." Bribed with money, the man agreed to use the details provided to him by his Russian handler and initially registered one Starlink station in his own name.

However, the task was not limited to a single device. After receiving instructions to attract the maximum number of people to verify the equipment, the suspect set up a real operation. To implement the plan, he used branches of postal operators, where he activated systems using data of fictitious persons. As a result, law enforcement managed to establish that the organizer managed to verify more than 1000 terminals for the Russians.

### Detention and seizure of evidence

Officers of the SBU military counterintelligence documented the criminal activity and detained the agent at his place of residence. During the search, a smartphone was seized from the man, the memory of which contained irrefutable evidence of working for Russia. In addition, the security services promptly blocked all Starlink stations activated as part of this scheme.

Investigators informed the suspect of suspicion of aiding the aggressor state (Part 1 of Article 111-2 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine). The offender faces from 10 to 12 years of imprisonment.

### Context: "Grey" terminals and Musk's response

The use of satellite communications by Russian troops has become a serious problem since 2023. The Russian army began using "grey" Starlink terminals at the front, and by the beginning of 2026, the enemy was already attacking Ukraine with drones equipped with these terminals.

In response, Elon Musk, together with Ukraine, created a list of "white" devices, blocking network access for those that ended up in Russian hands. However, as it turned out, the bypass of blocks continued. Recently, the billionaire stated that Russian terminals were ordered through Ukraine and then smuggled to the east of the country, where Russian troops are stationed. It was exactly such schemes that the SBU exposed in Dnipro.