Russia Deploys Starlink Jammers To Counter Ukraine’s Mid-Strike Drone Campaign

Russian forces are turning to powerful jamming systems and disguised supply convoys to counter Ukraine’s long-range “mid-strike” drones, according to Ukrainian drone commanders who spoke with Reuters near the front line in the Zaporizhzhia region.

Mid-Strike Drones Reshape The Battlefield

Ukraine’s mid strike drones, often piloted remotely via Starlink, can accurately hit targets dozens of kilometers behind Russian lines at low cost. Throughout this year, Ukraine has used the campaign to strike supply lines, fuel depots, air-defense sites and command centers, contributing to fuel shortages in Russian occupied Crimea.

Russia Targets Starlink Connectivity

To counter the strikes, Russia has installed jamming devices near towns and military sites, some specifically designed to disrupt Starlink signals once considered resistant to jamming. Ukrainian defense advisor Serhii Beskrestnov said Russia is using a system called Volna Kupol Garant, capable of destabilizing Starlink connections across roughly 20 square kilometers. About 10 such systems have reportedly been detected so far, though Ukrainian units have already destroyed at least two.

Camouflage And Convoy Tactics

Beyond jamming, Russian forces are reportedly hiding fuel and supplies inside civilian vehicles, including painted trucks and water tankers, while running small convoys protected by armed pickups. Ukrainian intelligence says Russia also uses quadbikes, motorcycles and camouflaged structures to move and store military supplies undetected.

Analysts Say Impact Is Growing But Limited

Foreign Policy Research Institute fellow Rob Lee called the mid-strike campaign one of the most significant battlefield developments this year, though he warned Russia could blunt its effectiveness if jammer production scales up. Despite the campaign’s success, Russia still controls about a fifth of Ukrainian territory more than four years into the war.