Starlink Satellites Have Revolutionized Modern Warfare. China and Russia Are Developing ‘Starlink Killers’ to Disable Them

In late February, a heated on-camera argument between Ukraine leader Volodymyr Zelensky and President Donald Trump changed the situation in Ukraine and put the European Union on high alert. One immediate concern was that Ukraine could lose access to Starlink, which has played a crucial role in the ongoing conflict. As Europe searches for alternatives to SpaceX’s satellite constellation, Russia and China are developing their own electronic and military countermeasures.

A strategic asset. Starlink and Starshield, its military version operated by the National Reconnaissance Office, are a strategic asset. When Russia disrupted conventional communication satellite networks (such as Viasat, Iridium, and Inmarsat), Starlink provided Ukraine with a significant advantage.

Starlink not only had the capacity to send more terminals and antennas to the front lines but also proved more resilient to Russian cyberattacks based on electronic interference. SpaceX manufactures its satellites, antennas, and partially reusable rockets in-house, a level of vertical integration that places it decades ahead of its competitors.

Starlink operates more than 7,000 satellites in low Earth orbit. At this altitude, satellites complete an orbit around the Earth every 90 minutes, ensuring that several satellites are consistently available to service any given area. Cyberattacks and jamming are most effective against companies that operate only a few geostationary satellites, which remain fixed at an altitude of 22,000 miles.

Starlink Killers. Russia and China have intensified their countermeasures in response to the use of SpaceX’s satellite network in military conflicts. A recent report from the Secure World Foundation identified Starlink as a priority target for the Kremlin, particularly after its effectiveness was demonstrated in the Ukraine war.

Russia has been working on the Kalinka system, dubbed the “Starlink Killer.” It’s designed to detect and jam protected military satellite communications from the Starshield constellation. According to Ukraine, its military forces have faced Starlink disruptions since May 2024. Experts attribute them to Russian experimentation with advanced electronic warfare methods. These disruptions affect not only military communications but also the use of drones.

Additionally, Russia employs the Tobol system to jam satellite signals. At least 10 Tobol devices are reportedly stationed across Russian territory. One of them is potentially located at the Russian base in Kaliningrad, between Lithuania and Poland. The Tobol system has also been used to attempt to block satellite transmissions vital to Ukraine’s operations. Members of the European Union, such as Finland, Poland, and Sweden, have reported GPS failures coinciding with the use of the Tobol system.

More from Xataka On

The Concept of ‘No Service’ Is Dead: SpaceX Has Activated Direct-to-Cell Connectivity on Its Starlink Satellites

Strange maneuvers in low-Earth orbit. According to the Secure World Foundation report, China is developing its space programs in parallel with Russia, particularly in response to Starlink. Space Force has observed several Chinese satellites conducting coordinated proximity maneuvers. These operations could be intended for peaceful purposes, such as satellite maintenance and space trash removal. However, the U.S. believes they’re primarily being tested to disable or capture rival satellites in the event of conflict.

The increase in Chinese satellites focused on intelligence gathering has put the Pentagon on high alert. However, the U.S. isn’t falling behind in its military space deployments. Russia has also made advancements in this area. The country recently demonstrated how its satellites could surround and isolate another spacecraft in low orbit.

The ultimate (and illegal) weapon. The Pentagon suspects that Moscow is pursuing the idea of placing nuclear weapons in space capable of generating electromagnetic pulses. These could devastate satellite constellations and potentially trigger a catastrophic collision cascade known as the Kessler syndrome.

The 1967 Outer Space Treaty prohibits the placement of weapons of mass destruction in orbit, but both the U.S. and Russia are increasingly challenging this agreement. For instance, SpaceX CEO Elon Musk recently claimed that Mars would be part of the U.S. This undermines another key point of the treaty that says that celestial bodies aren’t subject to sovereignty claims.

Image | ANIRUDH

Related | China and Europe Are Investing Heavily in Their Own Starlink, but the U.S. Advantage Remains Overwhelming