Russia and China coordinate to jam Starlink, threatening Ukrainian drone operations

Investigations by Der Spiegel, The Insider and Le Monde reveal a structured military‑technical cooperation between Russia and China that includes Chinese AI, chip and drone technologies aimed at neutralising the SpaceX‑run Starlink satellite internet network. Documents from the 2023‑2024 Russia‑China Forum show Chinese experts advising Moscow on electronic interference, frequency‑occupancy and even satellite‑destruction methods to silence Starlink, which Ukraine relies on for long‑range drone strikes.

Ukrainian commanders say Russian forces have begun fielding a jammer called Volna Kupol Garant that can disrupt Starlink links over roughly 20 km². The system has been spotted at several points along the front and is credited with reducing the effectiveness of Ukraine’s “mid‑strike” drones that conduct attacks on fuel depots, air‑defence sites and command centres deep behind Russian lines. Ukrainian units of the 422nd Unmanned Systems Regiment report having destroyed two of these jammers, restoring satellite connectivity for their drones.

The collaboration also involves Russian sharing of battlefield data with Chinese firms, while China supplies AI modules, microchips and mass‑production capacity for autonomous weaponry. Analysts note that the effort marks a rare instance of China providing direct technical support to Russia’s electronic‑warfare campaign, raising concerns for NATO and U.S. satellite‑communication assets that could be targeted in future conflicts.