Since the beginning of the full-scale invasion, Starlink has become an option to stay connected anywhere, regardless of the presence of light or network coverage. However, now the situation has changed: Russia has begun to massively integrate Starlink terminals into its strike and reconnaissance drones, such as the Shahed, BM-35, and Molniya. So, in response to such events, the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine, in cooperation with SpaceX, has taken the first steps.
How to pass verification: step-by-step instructions
To begin, you need to collect data about your terminal:
KIT number (if available)
It can be found on a sticker on the Starlink terminal box (for example: KIT00000000).
Example of a Starlink shipping label
UTID and/or Dish ID
You can find it in the Starlink app. To do this, from the home screen, tap the Menu button in the top left corner of the page, then scroll down and tap the "i" icon to view your UTID details.
In the "Starlink" section, find the Starlink ID/Terminal ID (for example: 01000000-00000000-00e1c9f7 - ignore the letters "ut" in front of the code).
Starlink portal user account number (if applicable)
Pass verification
1. Citizens and individual entrepreneurs
Collect the necessary documents, namely, your passport and RNTRC (ITN), and visit the ASC (but keep in mind that you must first get a ticket to join the queue). Submit an application to the administrator — it's free.
Pay attention!
If you have one terminal, just the documents are enough. But if you own multiple Starlinks, take them with you. This is a security requirement to prevent abuse.
2. Business and civil servants
Fill out the online application on the Diya portal. The service will be available from February 3, 2026.
3. Military personnel
To register, you only need to know the KIT number and/or UTID of your terminal. Owners of personal Starlinks need to register their data in the Army+ application (the functionality will appear later). And communications chiefs or authorized persons need to enter data through the DELTA system.
What happens if I don't pass verification?
Unverified terminals will lose access to the network in Ukraine. Therefore, we recommend that you do not delay and add your device to the “white list” now.
Why did "white lists" appear?
Terminal verification was a direct response to a new technological threat: the enemy's use of satellite communications to manually control drones. For example, in January 2026, the first cases of Starlink drone attacks on helicopters in the Kropyvnytskyi region and in the Dnipro were recorded. Later, such drones attacked the Kyiv-Barvinkove-Lviv passenger train. In response, the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine, together with SpaceX, began working on steps to resolve the situation and block the enemy's access to satellite communications. One of the first steps was to introduce a speed limit: if the terminal moves at a speed of more than 75–100 km/h, the Internet automatically disappears. The next key decision was the introduction of a "white list" - a single database of terminals verified in Ukraine.
How does Starlink get to the Russian Federation?
Despite the sanctions imposed on Russia, terminals continue to arrive at the aggressor through parallel import schemes. According to Nordsint's investigations, logistics are organized through the UAE, Kyrgyzstan, and other countries in the Middle East and Central Asia, which have become transit hubs.
In order not to attract the attention of customs, the equipment is legalized through document manipulation. For example, Starlink is often declared under the HS code 87089900 as “auto parts” or simply as “routers.” The terminals themselves are registered to accounts registered outside the Russian Federation.
According to InformNapalm, Russia began installing Starlink terminals on its reconnaissance and strike drones back in 2024. However, this has now become a proven system technology. If earlier the enemy was only looking for ways to bypass Ukrainian electronic warfare, today satellite communications have become the standard for increasing the accuracy of terrorist strikes on civilian objects and critical infrastructure.
Which UAVs are the occupiers attaching Starlink to today?
- Shahed / "Geranium" - long-range kamikaze drones are now equipped with Starlink for flights up to 2,000 km.
- "Lightning" (Lightning-2, Molniya-2P) are tactical drones that are most often equipped with the Starlink Mini version for reconnaissance and strike correction.
- BM-35 – long-range drones (up to 500 km), which already attacked the Dnipro and Odessa in January 2026.
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