Russian military expands efforts to jam Starlink communications in Ukraine

According to Beskrestnov, Starlink remains a major challenge for Russian forces, prompting repeated attempts to interfere with the satellite network since the beginning of the full-scale invasion.

The first documented case of a Russian EW system successfully targeting Starlink was recorded on the Kharkiv front in 2023, he said. Ukrainian forces quickly identified and destroyed the system involved.

"Until 2026, there were no widespread attempts to repeat its use," Beskrestnov said.

"After Ukraine began conducting Middle Strike attacks against Russian logistics infrastructure, we once again started detecting EW activity targeting the Starlink communications system."

Beskrestnov said Ukrainian forces continue to identify and destroy such systems. One of the complexes was recently struck by the 422nd Separate Unmanned Systems Regiment, he added.

The adviser identified the system as the Volna Kupol Garant EW complex, manufactured by Russian company Russkiy Kupol, which is based in the Russian-occupied city of Simferopol in Crimea.

How the system works

According to Beskrestnov, the system uses ground-based antennas to track Starlink satellites and transmit powerful interference signals toward them, preventing the satellites from receiving communications from user terminals on the ground.

"Technically, Starlink satellites receive signals from terminals in the 14-14.5 GHz range. This spectrum is divided into eight channels, each 62.5 MHz wide," Beskrestnov explained.

"The Russians effectively use eight satellite dishes pointed at the satellite, with each dish transmitting interference on its own channel. That's it. The satellite becomes deaf."

The system reportedly provides coverage over an area of approximately 20 square kilometers (7.7 square miles).

The Volna Kupol Garant complex is mounted on six trailers, each carrying two antennas.

"Each antenna looks like an egg from the outside, but inside is a satellite dish with a rotating mechanism," Beskrestnov said.

He added that the system consumes large amounts of electricity and can operate either from an external power source or generators installed on each trailer.

According to Beskrestnov, the manufacturer sold the systems to the Russian military for approximately $1.5 million each.

Starlink constellation limits impact

Defense Express noted that the Starlink constellation currently consists of more than 10,000 active satellites.

Because multiple satellites can simultaneously provide coverage to a single terminal, the publication said the Volna Kupol Garant system can disrupt only one Starlink satellite at a time.

That limitation reduces the overall impact of the system against the broader Starlink network, according to the report.