Russia begins mass production of Volna Kupol Garant to jam Ukraine’s Starlink network

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According to industry sources speaking to state media, Russia has begun mass production of its new electronic warfare system, specifically designed to jam and counter Ukraine’s use of the Starlink satellite network, currently known as Volna Kupol Garant. While questions remain over its large-scale deployment and long-term effectiveness, the system represents a significant Moscow effort to deny Kyiv one of the key tools that has enabled long-range strikes inside Russian territory.

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Citing statements made by the sources to the Russian outlet TASS: “The Volna Kupol Garant system has proven its effectiveness, and we have begun producing and deploying it on a larger scale. Now quantity has turned into quality, and we have practically blocked Starlink airspace wherever we needed to (…) Today, Volna has become a factor affecting not only the special military operation zone, but also has global influence.” The source added that, in its view, this amounts to a “devastating blow” to Ukrainian forces.

How Russia’s Volna Kupol Garant operates

In outlining how the new Volna Kupol Garant systems work, Russian specialists describe equipment capable of producing a powerful narrowband radio signal. This is intended to “blind” the receiving antennas of Starlink network satellites, causing various malfunctions and consequently preventing links with troops on the ground. Without identifying them, Russia’s military industry stated that the system has received several improvements since its prototype phase, drawing on lessons learned in the field.

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Ukrainian reports provide further detail, stating that the electronic warfare system can create interference across several data-transmission bands between 14 and 14.5 GHz, each with a bandwidth of 62.5 MHz. It reportedly employs a system of around eight directional phased-array antennas, aimed at the satellite to be jammed before being activated to transmit the aforementioned radio signal across different bands.

In short, each system is said to be able to interfere with signals at distances of between 16 and 20 kilometres, across a 360-degree azimuthal plane. As the same sources consulted by Russian media put it: “Several devices can paralyse an entire region. Dozens of devices activated simultaneously could cause a temporary disruption to Starlink operations (…) Elon Musk has got himself into a predicament. If Starlink does not stop supporting terrorism, Russia will have to decide whether to block it only on our territory or throughout the world.” This final claim nonetheless raises doubts about its feasibility.

What responses could Ukraine take?

As noted at the outset, no details have yet been released on how many electronic warfare systems of this type will be built for later field deployment, or how Russia’s Armed Forces would employ them. However, Ukrainian analysts appear to have already identified several potential weaknesses.

More specifically, the operation of Volna Kupol Garant itself is said to involve transmitting radio signals that can quickly be detected by Ukraine and other allied nations with their own satellites, as well as by SpaceX, the manufacturer of Starlink. Put simply, once switched on, the systems become considerably easier to locate and, therefore, to target and neutralise. Kyiv’s reports suggest this would compel Moscow to produce a large number of systems in order to establish a genuine defensive capability against drones and missiles, with each unit estimated to cost around 150 million roubles.

Ukraine states that the Army’s 422nd Unmanned Systems Regiment and the Security Service of Ukraine’s (SBU) Special Operations Centre “A” had already managed to neutralise one jamming station in mid-June. On that occasion, a series of images was released showing strikes on at least six targets, including damage to other assets located nearby.

Meanwhile, Kyiv continues strengthening links with SpaceX

While Russia announces its new systems intended to jam the Starlink network, Ukraine is continuing to explore an expansion in the use of its terminals to improve communications between frontline forces and their respective chains of command. As a symbolic demonstration of this relationship, the Ukrainian government awarded Elon Musk, SpaceX’s founder, the Order of Freedom, an honour granted for his “personal contribution to the protection of human life and freedom, and for the development of relations between the peoples of Ukraine and the United States.”

It is worth recalling that SpaceX has not only enabled use of its Starlink network to support Ukrainian units in the field and allow them to conduct long-range drone strikes, but has also agreed to block its use by their Russian counterparts. Zelensky’s administration is now seeking permission to use satellites orbiting Russian territory as well. That still appears difficult to achieve, as Musk considers it a move that would heighten tensions with Moscow, which are already strained.

As the Russian sources consulted by TASS stated: “This decoration found its hero precisely because of his resistance to terrorist attacks against Russia and its citizens. In fact, Musk explicitly prohibits the use of Starlink over Russia, but freely allows it to be hacked and installed on long-range attack drones of the Ukrainian Armed Forces. This constitutes direct complicity in the killing of Russians.”

Images used for illustrative purposes.