• CompactFlax
    link
    fedilink
    English
    arrow-up
    35
    ·
    2 days ago

    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.

    • x00z@lemmy.world
      link
      fedilink
      English
      arrow-up
      9
      ·
      2 days ago

      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
        link
        fedilink
        English
        arrow-up
        5
        ·
        2 days ago

        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
          link
          fedilink
          English
          arrow-up
          1
          ·
          2 days 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
      link
      fedilink
      English
      arrow-up
      4
      ·
      2 days ago

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

      • CompactFlax
        link
        fedilink
        English
        arrow-up
        9
        ·
        2 days ago

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