Bulgaria is investigating the suspected arson of Starlink satellite system equipment at a secured facility near Sofia. According to Ivaylo Mirchev, co-chair of the “Yes, Bulgaria” party, the incident damaged 11 of the 17 antennas that provided communication with SpaceX’s satellite network.
As reported by the Bulgarian Telegraph Agency (BTA), Mirchev stated that two unidentified, masked individuals broke into the facility and set the telecommunications equipment on fire.
According to the politician, these antennas are used to maintain communication with Starlink satellites, whose technology plays a crucial role in supporting communications during the war in Ukraine.
Mirchev criticized Bulgarian law enforcement agencies and special services for failing to provide public information about the incident. He also questioned whether the competent authorities had received warnings from partner intelligence agencies about a possible sabotage plot.
The politician reported that, together with MP Bozhidar Bozhanov, he had submitted parliamentary inquiries to the Bulgarian State Agency for National Security (DANS) and the Ministry of the Interior, demanding an explanation of the circumstances surrounding the incident.
On October 13, Bulgarian media reported that an investigation was underway. According to their reports, law enforcement agencies are reviewing surveillance camera footage and other materials that could help identify the attackers.
On October 14, Bulgarian Prime Minister Rumen Radev confirmed that an intensive investigation into the case is underway, involving the relevant authorities and partner agencies. At the same time, he declined to disclose details, citing the need to maintain the confidentiality of the investigation.
The incident occurred amid increased attention from European countries toward protecting critical telecommunications infrastructure. In particular, law enforcement agencies in Poland are investigating a separate case of arson targeting Starlink equipment in the Masovian Voivodeship. In October, German police detained two Turkish citizens on suspicion of involvement in this crime.
Starlink is a satellite-based broadband internet access system developed by the American company SpaceX. In Ukraine, it is used by civilian institutions, emergency services, businesses, and the military to maintain communications when ground-based infrastructure is damaged.
However, there is currently no official confirmation that the antennas damaged in Bulgaria were directly serving specific Ukrainian units or that the incident caused communication disruptions in Ukraine.
Source: Bulgarian Telegraph Agency (BTA)
Kyivstar, Ukraine’s largest telecommunications operator, has been granted the right to officially sell Starlink services in Ukraine to support Ukrainian businesses, according to a company statement.
The agreement allows for the official supply of Starlink high-speed internet kits and services to large corporations, medium-sized businesses, and manufacturing enterprises.
Starlink will also be available to the country’s public institutions, including schools, universities, hospitals, clinics, and other facilities.
“This enhances the resilience and efficiency of Ukrainian companies. In addition, we plan to develop joint offerings that will combine Starlink services with Kyivstar’s core telecom services, creating comprehensive solutions for businesses with high reliability and support,” Kyivstar’s Director of New Business Development, Ilya Polshakov, is quoted as saying in the release.
Customers will be able to obtain all necessary financial documents from the mobile operator as an authorized Starlink distributor in Ukraine and pay for all transactions in hryvnia.
Starlink is a global satellite network with thousands of satellites in low Earth orbit that provides broadband internet access. The service delivers high-speed internet to remote regions and locations requiring additional connectivity options.
In November 2025, Kyivstar launched free messaging using Starlink Direct to Cell (D2C) technology, which is already used by nearly 5 million customers out of a total subscriber base of 22.4 million. This year, Kyivstar plans to expand the service to other messaging apps and real-time multimedia sharing.
As of the end of 2025, Kyivstar served 22.4 million mobile subscribers and 1.2 million “Home Internet” subscribers. In 2025, the company increased its EBITDA by 30% to UAH 27 billion, with revenue growing by 30.3% to UAH 48.2 billion; including a 23.1% increase in EBITDA in the fourth quarter of last year—to UAH 7.2 billion—on the back of a 30.1% rise in revenue—to UAH 13.5 billion.
Individuals will now be able to verify Starlink at branches of Ukraine’s leading express delivery service Nova Poshta, part of the NOVA group, as well as the national postal operator Ukrposhta, according to a statement from the Ministry of Digital Transformation on Tuesday.
“We are launching a new stage of registration for terminals in Ukraine. Individuals can now verify Starlink not only at the Administrative Services Center, but also at the nearest Nova Poshta or Ukrposhta branches,” the Ministry of Digital Transformation wrote on its Telegram channel.
According to a release from Nova Poshta, individuals will be able to register up to three devices per person at its branches. If you have one Starlink, you can verify it remotely.
“If you have more than one device, you need to have them with you when you visit the branch,” the company added.
Ukrposhta also reported that in order to register several terminals, you must have them with you when registering at the branch.
In addition, it is noted that to register a terminal, you must provide the operator with your passport (ID card or foreign passport), RNOKPP (identification code), KIT number (serial number of the kit), UTID (unique terminal identifier) and/or Dish ID (antenna/terminal identifier), account number on the Starlink terminal portal, as well as a link to the portal where you can check this number.
As explained by Nova Poshta, a separate document is created for each Starlink terminal. Once completed, the data is automatically transferred to the Ministry of Digital Transformation.
In turn, Ukrposhta reported that after submitting an application through its branch or the Administrative Services Center and its registration, the terminal will automatically resume operation within 72 hours.
“An SMS message will be sent to confirm the successful acceptance of the application,” the company added.
At the end of January, Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov announced that the ministry’s team, after contacting SpaceX, had proposed ways to solve the problem with Starlink satellite communication terminals.
The first reaction was to limit the speed at which Starlink operates in Ukraine.
However, as a long-term solution, the Cabinet of Ministers adopted a resolution on the introduction of a “white list” for Starlink, thanks to which only verified and registered terminals will operate in Ukraine, while others will be disconnected.
On February 4, Fedorov appealed to the commanders of the Defense Forces at all levels to organize the verification of Starlink terminals. To do this, all Starlink terminal numbers must be transferred to the “white list” through the DELTA system.
According to him, the Starlink verification process is actively underway in Ukraine, with citizens already adding terminals to the “white list” to ensure their operation.
As of the end of summer 2025, according to the Ministry of Digital Transformation of Ukraine, approximately 50,000 Starlink terminals have been delivered since the start of the war thanks to the support of international partners. In addition to Poland, Germany is also paying for their operation. In addition, Starlink terminals are being imported and used in Ukraine by other users who pay for them themselves. The total number of Starlink terminals in Ukraine at that time was estimated at approximately 100,000.
The National Commission for the Regulation of Electronic Communications and Postal Services (NCCEC) has extended the permit for Ukraine’s largest mobile operator Kyivstar to test Starlink Direct to Cell (D2C, direct satellite communication with a smartphone) technology until 20 April 2026, according to the approved decision.
The document states that testing may continue throughout Ukraine, with the exception of border areas, areas of military operations, and temporarily occupied territories.
The conditions stipulate that the operator must use the 1725-1730 MHz/1820-1825 MHz (2×5 MHz) bands, ensure territorial retreat from the borders with other states in the west of the country, and comply with measures to avoid radio interference with existing users of the radio frequency spectrum, according to the decision.
As reported, testing of Starlink Direct to Cell satellite communication technology, which allows users to exchange SMS messages in the absence of mobile communication but with direct visibility of the sky, became available in November to all Kyivstar subscribers in Ukraine who had compatible smartphones with 4G (LTE) support. The system operates via a network of more than 650 Starlink Direct to Cell satellites.
It was noted that voice calls and mobile internet are planned to be introduced in Starlink Direct to Cell in 2026.
In the third quarter of 2025, Kyivstar served 22.5 million mobile subscribers, which is 3.6% less than a year ago, while the number of 4G customers grew by 2.4% to 15 million.
In the third quarter, the company’s EBITDA profit amounted to UAH 7.1 billion, which is 21.5% more than in the third quarter of 2024, and in dollars, the growth was 20.4% to $171 million.
The main shareholder of Kyivstar Group, with an 89.6% stake, is the telecommunications holding company VEON, which owned 100% of Kyivstar before it was listed on the stock exchange.
Estonia has decided to allocate €3.5 million to Ukraine for the purchase of Starlink satellite communication systems as part of an IT coalition jointly led by Estonia and Luxembourg. This was reported on the official website of the Estonian Ministry of Defense.
As noted by Estonian Defense Minister Hanno Pevkur, the funds are intended to strengthen Ukraine’s IT capabilities and increase the effectiveness of the Armed Forces on the battlefield.
“Ukraine has confirmed to us that it needs support to secure Starlink connectivity, and it is clear that this is extremely important assistance for them, which has a noticeable effect on the battlefield. Starlink’s capabilities are particularly critical given Ukraine’s desire to significantly increase the number of drone units that require high-performance internet connectivity,” Pevkur said.
He stressed that Ukraine is fighting every day for the freedom of all of Europe, including Estonia.
“Therefore, in addition to weapons, information and technological support is also critically important. I am glad that we can help Ukraine strengthen its IT capabilities, thereby increasing its chances of winning a war that claims hundreds of lives every day,” the minister added.
The €3.5 million in funding comes from Estonia’s aid package to Ukraine planned for 2025. The funds will be transferred to Ukraine through an IT coalition established by Estonia and Luxembourg and will be used for the joint purchase of Starlink systems.
During a meeting with Estonian Defense Minister Hanno Pevkur on the sidelines of the JEF, Ukrainian Defense Minister Denys Shmyhal expressed his gratitude for the offer to allocate €3 million for the purchase and support of Starlink satellite communication systems.
As Shmyhal reported on social media, the ministers also discussed strengthening air defense, drone production, and the creation of joint defense enterprises.
“We appreciate Estonia’s participation in PURL. Ukraine is also ready to join the implementation of projects within SAFE, which will contribute to the mutual development of our defense industries,” Shmyhal said.
The ministers also discussed the training of Ukrainian soldiers as part of Operation Legio.
“I am grateful for Estonia’s offer to allocate €3 million for the purchase and support of Starlink satellite communication systems. We continue to insist on the confiscation of frozen Russian assets — the aggressor must pay.
I thank Estonia for its strong support for Ukrainians in this war,” Shmyhal emphasized.
