Russian forces have deployed a new jamming system targeting Starlink ground terminals to disrupt Ukrainian drone communications along the line of contact, according to retired colonel Viktor Litovkin.
Speaking to Russian news outlet Lenta.ru, military observer Litovkin stated that the new system, designated Volna-Kupol-Garant, acts directly against ground equipment rather than targeting satellites in orbit.
Litovkin explained that an earlier electronic warfare platform, Tirada-S, was designed to operate directly against orbiting satellites. By contrast, the Volna-Kupol-Garant system targets ground-level receivers and Starlink routers positioned on the battlefield, cutting off connection between operators on the ground and unmanned aerial vehicles.
Frontline impact and tactical disruption
Testing variants of the system are already being actively introduced into military units along the combat front, Litovkin said. He added that the operational result became immediately noticeable, prompting strong complaints and frustration among Ukrainian combatants whose drone operations rely on continuous signal access.
The retired colonel emphasized that the jamming action is concentrated strictly along the line of contact. The equipment disrupts connectivity for frontline users without interfering with the satellite constellation itself.
The development follows earlier reports that Russian forces possess the capability to jam the Starlink satellite network. The Ukrainian military maintains a high degree of reliance on Starlink systems, a dependence previously highlighted in public statements by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.
Background on Starlink military reliance
Starlink is a low-Earth orbit satellite constellation developed and operated by SpaceX, the American private space technology company. The system relies on thousands of small satellites in orbit to transmit high-speed internet data to compact ground terminals across remote and conflict-affected regions.
Throughout the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, Starlink terminals have served as vital communications infrastructure for the Armed Forces of Ukraine. Frontline units depend on the network for tactical command, intelligence sharing, artillery coordination, and the real-time control of combat drones.
The report on the deployment was published on August 28, 2026, by Lenta.ru correspondent Anastasia Berdnikova from the news outlet's operational information department. Russian defense forces continue testing specialized electronic countermeasures across active conflict zones.
