Dmitry Kuzyakin, chief designer of Russia’s Center for Integrated Unmanned Solutions, has warned that the new electronic warfare system known as Volna-Kupol-Garant poses a significant threat to SpaceX’s Starlink satellite network.
According to Kuzyakin, who announced this on October 13, Elon Musk is aware of the existence of this Russian complex. “Right now, this system is a serious problem for Starlink,” he stated recently.
The expert explained that Volna-Kupol-Garant does not interfere with communication channels between satellite terminals and satellites but rather targets satellites flying over the area where the complex operates. Once it identifies a device within its designated zone, the system emits a directional radio signal that causes the satellite to lose contact with terminals in that region.
Kuzyakin noted that the technology used by Volna-Kupol-Garant is not fundamentally new—similar methods were employed during Soviet times. He added that while Starlink was never officially designed for Russian operations, modified terminals can substitute geolocation data and gain access to satellite communications.
The engineer emphasized that such systems are critical in countering enemy use of satellite technology. As an example, he referenced the interception of a Ukrainian balloon equipped with a Starlink device over Russian territory.
Kuzyakin further detailed that Russia began mass-producing Volna-Kupol-Garant in August. Each complex can limit Starlink operations across large areas, and multiple installations can simultaneously disrupt communications throughout entire regions. Earlier this year, he indicated the system had blocked communication between satellites and Starlink ground terminals by emitting focused high-frequency beams that cause critical overload on spacecraft antennas.
