Russia Jams Starlink Systems to Counter Ukraine’s Drones

Russian forces are employing various tactics to counter Ukrainian “mid-strike” drone attacks. According to Ukrainian drone commanders and pilots interviewed by Reuters, Russian forces are camouflaging cargoes and installing powerful jamming systems to disrupt Elon Musk’s Starlink satellite internet system.

Ukrainian drones, often piloted via Starlink, have been instrumental in the war against Russia. These mid-range strikes have targeted supply lines, fuel storage facilities, air-defense installations, and command centers, causing significant disruptions to Russian logistics and leading to fuel shortages in Russian-occupied Crimea.

In response, Russia is developing methods to protect its fuel and other military supplies. Tactics range from hiding shipments in civilian vehicles to using sophisticated electronic jamming devices that can block drone connections. Some of these systems have been installed near towns and military facilities, including those capable of disrupting Starlink operations.

A system called Volna Kupol Garant has been detected by Ukrainian forces so far. It emits a signal strong enough to destabilize the Starlink connection over an area of about 20 square kilometers (7.7 square miles). However, these jamming systems are themselves targets for Ukrainian drone crews aiming to neutralize any impediments.

The 422nd regiment has participated in operations targeting two such systems, including one detected several hours after being struck in a joint mission with the SBU security service. Following the strike on one installation, Ukraine’s Starlink-equipped drones flew without issues.

Elon Musk has also taken steps to restrict Russian forces’ use of Starlink to prevent Moscow from using it for its drone strikes. SpaceX and Russia’s defense ministry declined to comment on the matter.

During a visit to the 422nd regiment, Ukrainian soldiers prepared a “Zozulya” (Cuckoo) drone equipped with high explosive for launch towards Crimea under cover of darkness. The drone was successfully launched and targeted a base used by Russian drone pilots.

Russian forces are now using small civilian cars, quadbikes, motorcycles, camouflaged dugouts, abandoned buildings, and agricultural structures to transport supplies and conceal their activities. They also use civilian petrol stations to store fuel for military operations.

According to Rob Lee, a senior fellow at the US-based Foreign Policy Research Institute, while Ukraine’s mid-strike campaign has been significant, Russia is making some progress in countering these attacks. If Moscow scales up production of jamming systems, it could make conducting mid-strikes more difficult. Despite this, Russian forces still control about one-fifth of Ukrainian territory four years after their full-scale invasion, and not all Ukrainian drone strikes have succeeded.