Electronic warfare system brought back into action
Russia has reactivated its Volna Kupol Garant electronic warfare (EW) system following a surge in Ukrainian drone strikes—many equipped with Starlink terminals—targeting Russian supply lines. The information comes from Serhiy Beskrestnov (call sign Flash), an advisor to Ukraine's defense minister, in an interview with BBC News Ukraine reported by Glavkom. First spotted in 2024 near Kharkiv, where Ukrainian forces located and eliminated it, the system then vanished from the battlefield for months. In recent weeks, however, Moscow has returned it to frontline duty.
System components and effectiveness
Each Volna Kupol Garant unit costs roughly $1.5 million and can cover an area of up to 20 square kilometers, protecting assets within a radius of about 3–4 km. It operates by generating powerful interference in the 14–14.5 GHz frequency band. Due to its strong emissions, the system’s activity can be detected by SpaceX and Western signals intelligence satellites.
Ukrainian forces have stepped up their use of long-range strike drones linked to Starlink, hitting Russian depots, logistics hubs, and military infrastructure up to 200–300 km away. Beskrestnov noted that the return of Volna Kupol Garant reflects a shift in Russian tactics in response to the growing effectiveness of Ukraine's deep-strike unmanned systems.
'Deploying expensive EW systems to shield individual logistics nodes and critical infrastructure shows that Ukrainian strikes are forcing Russia to rethink its rear-area defense and allocate more resources to protection.' Serhiy Beskrestnov
The use of Volna Kupol Garant highlights how both sides are adapting their military strategies. By investing in electronic countermeasures to counter Ukrainian drone threats, Russia acknowledges the mounting danger to its supply chains. This could signal further escalation, as each side seeks new ways to boost combat effectiveness and safeguard key assets. Such developments may also shape the support and supply strategies of international partners monitoring the front-line situation.
As the conflict intensifies, the dynamics of military support for Ukraine are also evolving. Recently, over 90% of Ukraine's anti-ballistic missiles have been sourced through the PURL initiative, reflecting a significant shift in how the nation is bolstering its defenses against ongoing threats. This strategic adaptation parallels Russia's renewed focus on electronic warfare systems, underscoring the rapid changes in military tactics on both sides.