Russia deploys jammers to disrupt Starlink drones

Russian forces have begun deploying advanced electronic warfare systems designed to jam the Starlink satellite network, a critical tool for Ukraine's long-range drone operations, according to Ukrainian military commanders. The move represents a direct attempt to counter Ukraine's escalating campaign of "mid-strike" drone attacks, which have disrupted Russian logistics and caused fuel shortages in occupied Crimea.

Ukraine's development of drones capable of striking targets dozens of kilometers behind the front lines, often guided via SpaceX's Starlink system, has transformed battlefield dynamics this year. These attacks have targeted supply routes, fuel depots, air defense systems, and command centers. In response, Russia has started rolling out jamming units near towns and military facilities. An advisor to Ukraine's defense ministry, Serhii Beskrestnov, identified one system as the "Volna Kupol Garant," stating about ten have been detected, each capable of destabilizing Starlink connections across an area of roughly 20 square kilometers.

Ukrainian forces have already targeted these jammers. The 422nd Unmanned Systems Regiment participated in operations that destroyed two such...