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2 Ukrainians detained for registering Starlink terminals for Russian soldiers for 'easy money' (kyivindependent.com)

submitted 3 weeks ago by dude@lemmings.world to c/news@lemmings.world

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[–] CompactFlax@discuss.tchncs.de 33 points 3 weeks ago (3 children)

Russian operatives allegedly offered them $30 for each Starlink terminal registered for use by Russian troops.

I am always surprised how cheaply people can be bought.

[–] RedGreenBlue@lemmy.zip 9 points 3 weeks ago

Becoming a traitor for next to nothing. Smart!

[–] x00z@lemmy.world 8 points 3 weeks ago (1 children)

https://remotepeople.com/countries/ukraine/average-salary/ (first search engine result)

The average salary in Ukraine is 24,000 Ukrainian hryvnia (UAH), about USD 574. However, salaries vary depending on education, experience, location, position, and industry. You must also consider how salaries in the country compare to wages worldwide.

This means that registering only 1 terminal per day gets you $900, which is almost double the average income. (after taxes)

Compare that to the US: https://www.census.gov/library/publications/2025/demo/p60-286.html

Median household income was $83,730 in 2024, not statistically different from the 2023 estimate of $82,690 (Figure 1 and Table A-1).

That's $7000 / month (before taxes). Which makes pay around $365 per terminal.

One should always compare average income and living costs when considering what is cheap in other countries.

[–] CompactFlax@discuss.tchncs.de 5 points 3 weeks ago (1 children)

Cost of living and local salaries are a fair point. It’s an approximate equivalent (based on salary) of $360 per terminal not $900, you mentioned that twice but with different numbers. 30/570 = 5% of monthly salary; 7000*.05=350

I’m still pretty sure I wouldn’t sell out for that much but then I’m not in their position.

[–] x00z@lemmy.world 1 points 3 weeks ago

It's meant to be $900 over a month. Which is the most common timespan when talking about income in Europe.

30*30 = 900

900/574 = ~1,567

7000/30 = ~233/day

233*1.567 = ~365/terminal

[–] mrmisses@lemmy.world 4 points 3 weeks ago (1 children)

Or how desperate they are for a little money? I can't imagine being so desperate to help Russia

[–] CompactFlax@discuss.tchncs.de 9 points 3 weeks ago

The article does mention drugs as a factor for some people. But I’d expect at least an order of magnitude more.