Russia is extending the deployment of its Volna-Kupol-Garant electronic warfare system to safeguard strategically significant facilities in Rostov-on-Don, Shakhty, and other regions from threats related to Starlink satellite communications. The system is intended to disrupt the communication connections between Starlink satellites and ground terminals, potentially preventing drones and other unmanned platforms from receiving commands through the satellite network.
The planned deployment is part of a broader initiative to establish electronic protection around critical infrastructure in southern Russia and regions near the Ukrainian border. The proposed coverage will include facilities in the Belgorod and Kursk regions, as well as Rostov, Shakhty, Kuban, and Novorossiya, according to the TASS. Nevertheless, the quantity of available systems is insufficient to safeguard every facility identified for deployment.
Russia Expands Plans for Starlink Countermeasures
The Volna-Kupol-Garant system is designed to counter the military’s use of commercial satellite communications, particularly Starlink terminals that connect to unmanned aerial vehicles and other remotely operated platforms.
Ukrainian forces are using modified or compromised Starlink terminals to maintain communication with drones, sabotage groups, and unmanned surface vessels, according to the Russian defense industry source cited by TASS. The source asserts that these communication links can coordinate attacks against infrastructure and other targets within Russian territory.
The Rostov region’s significance as a transport, logistics, and industrial hub in southern Russia is underscored by the proposed expansion to Rostov-on-Don and Shakhty. The region also offers access to vital road and railway connections that connect southern Russia with other regions of the country.
Another location that is included in the planned deployment is Shakhty, which sits in Rostov Oblast. The proposed protection is not designed to establish an uninterrupted electronic shield encompassing entire cities. Rather, the reported objective is to safeguard infrastructure and facilities identified as potential targets.
How the Volna-Kupol-Garant System Works
Unlike conventional air defence systems, which physically intercept incoming aircraft or missiles, Volna-Kupol-Garant is intended to disrupt the communications infrastructure that is used to control unmanned platforms.
The system uses directed high-frequency radio signals to disrupt Starlink satellite communications, as indicated by technical information published by RBC in September 2026. It reportedly operates within the 14–14.5 GHz frequency range, which corresponds to the frequencies needed for satellite communications.
The system is intended to influence the satellite’s capacity to receive and transmit signals from ground-based Starlink terminals. It can temporarily disrupt the communication channel between the satellite and connected terminals by interfering with the satellite’s receiving equipment.
This method differs from the literal destruction or disabling of a satellite. Rather, the system attempts to disrupt the communications process while the satellite is in orbit.
The difference is important because Starlink functions through a constellation of satellites, rather than a single spacecraft. When the communications link associated with a specific satellite is disrupted, the entire network remains operational. Therefore, the countermeasure’s efficacy depends on the satellite’s location, the system’s coverage, and the capacity to maintain interference against the pertinent communication links.
System Completed Testing and Entered Serial Production
The development has progressed beyond the experimental phase. Volna-Kupol-Garant’s testing was completed in early 2026, and mass production began shortly thereafter, as indicated by the source cited by TASS.
In September, RBC reported that the system was already in use in military operations and that serial production had commenced. The manufacturer, Russian Dome, was identified by the publication as a Simferopol-registered company.
RBC also reported that the equipment is available in portable and stationary configurations. It is reported that the coverage area can extend to approximately 20 square kilometers; however, the actual performance will depend on the satellite communications environment and deployment conditions.
The production rate remains an important limitation. The TASS source explicitly acknowledged that the current production rate and the quantity of manufactured systems are insufficient to cover all planned facilities. This means that Russia’s deployment program will need to be gradually expanded rather than instantaneously offering comprehensive protection.
Twelve Antennas and a Limited Coverage Area
According to RBC’s technical overview, the stationary configuration consists of 12 parabolic antennas installed beneath dome-shaped radio-transparent covers. According to reports, the antennas are mounted on six trailers, with two antennas on each platform.
Eight of the twelve antennas operate within eight separate frequency sub-bands associated with Starlink communications. Reports indicate the system uses directed high-frequency signals to overload the satellite receiving apparatus.
According to RBC, a single complex can interfere with only one satellite at a time. The disruption is also characterized as temporary, with the potential for affected satellites to be unable to receive and relay relevant signals for a period of several minutes.
These attributes suggest that Volna-Kupol-Garant is a specialized electronic warfare system rather than a conventional area-wide communications blackout device. Its reported coverage of approximately 20 square kilometers also implies that the protection of multiple geographically separated facilities would necessitate additional installations.
According to reports, the system can be powered by diesel generators or an external electricity source. However, its visible antenna structures could expose it to potential vulnerabilities if aerial detection identifies stationary installations. As a result, additional air-defense protection and mobile fire groups may need to be arranged to safeguard the equipment.
Starlink Communications Has Become a Military Consideration
The satellite constellation of Starlink has become a critical communications platform in contemporary warfare due to its ability to provide connectivity in regions where conventional telecommunications infrastructure is damaged, unavailable, or unreliable.
Satellite connectivity can establish a communication link between a remotely controlled platform and an operator for unmanned aircraft. It can also facilitate the transmission of operational information and reconnaissance.
Russia’s interest in Volna-Kupol-Garant reflects the growing importance of disrupting these communications links rather than relying exclusively on conventional methods of countering unmanned aircraft.
However, the claims surrounding Starlink’s use inside Russian territory require some qualification. According to the TASS source, Ukrainian forces use compromised or modified terminals to conduct operations against Russian infrastructure. The system’s operational use and the geographical conditions under which it can interfere with satellite communications also vary according to different accounts.
In conclusion,
An effort to counter the increasing military use of satellite communications is represented by Russia’s planned expansion of Volna-Kupol-Garant to Rostov-on-Don, Shakhty, and other strategic locations. The immediate challenge is to expand manufacturing and deployment in a manner that is sufficient to safeguard the facilities identified by Russian authorities, as testing has been completed and serial production is currently underway.