Lithuania charges two suspects with terrorism over Starlink arson attack

Lithuanian authorities charged two foreign nationals residing in Germany with terrorism over an October 18, 2026 attempted arson attack on a SpaceX Starlink station in Vilnius. The suspects, holding dual German-Turkish and German-Serbian citizenship, were arrested in Germany at Bulgaria's request. Officials view the arson attempts in Lithuania, Poland, and Bulgaria as coordinated, Russia-linked sabotage against satellite infrastructure supporting Ukraine.

Arson attack on Vilnius Starlink facility

• ▪The attempted arson took place at premises belonging to Delska, where SpaceX operates and stores Starlink satellite communications equipment
• ▪Lithuanian officials treated the October 18, 2026 attempted arson as a Russia-linked act of sabotage aimed at undermining Ukraine's military capabilities.
• ▪Lithuanian authorities charged two suspects with terrorism-related offences over an attempted arson attack on a SpaceX Starlink base station in Vilnius.

Terrorism charges and potential penalties

• ▪Nėrijus Puškorius stated the two suspects face charges including forming and participating in an organized terrorist group, traveling for terrorist purposes, and committing a terrorist act.
• ▪Nėrijus Puškorius stated that forming or participating in an organized terrorist group carries a maximum penalty of 10 to 15 years in prison under Lithuanian law.

Background and movements of the suspects

• ▪Saulius Briginas stated the two suspects arrived in Lithuania on the eve of the October 18, 2026 incident and left immediately after the attempted arson.
• ▪The two foreign nationals in their 20s reside in Germany, where one holds German and Turkish citizenship and the other holds German and Serbian citizenship.

Arrest and transfer of suspects

• ▪The two suspects were arrested in Germany at Bulgaria's request following a separate investigation into arson targeting Starlink infrastructure.
• ▪Nėrijus Puškorius stated that a decision on whether the two suspects in the Vilnius Starlink arson attack will be transferred from Germany to Lithuania would be made later.

Cross-border investigations and additional incidents

• ▪Saulius Briginas stated that additional individuals have been detained in Poland in connection with arson attacks targeting Starlink equipment.
• ▪Lithuanian law enforcement authorities are cooperating with law enforcement partners in Bulgaria, Poland, and Germany regarding the Starlink arson investigations.
• ▪Bulgarian authorities investigated incidents in which several satellite antennas used to connect to the Starlink network were set on fire.
• ▪Investigators suspect the two individuals arrested in Germany were involved in arson targeting a Starlink satellite communications station in central Poland in September 2026.