Russian forces are stepping up efforts to counter Ukraine’s increasingly effective mid-range drone attacks by deploying powerful electronic jamming systems and disguising military supplies in civilian vehicles, according to Ukrainian drone commanders.
The commanders told Reuters that Ukraine’s “mid-strike” drones, capable of accurately hitting targets dozens of kilometres behind the front lines, have significantly disrupted Russian logistics by targeting fuel depots, air defence systems, command centres and supply routes.
Many of these drones rely on Starlink, the satellite internet service operated by SpaceX, to maintain communication with pilots during missions.
However, Ukrainian operators say Russia has begun deploying advanced electronic warfare systems designed to interfere with Starlink signals.
According to Serhii Beskrestnov, an adviser to Ukraine’s Defence Ministry, Russia is using a jamming system known as Volna Kupol Garant, which can disrupt Starlink connectivity across an area of about 20 square kilometres.
He said around 10 of the systems have been detected so far, although Ukrainian forces have successfully destroyed at least two of them in joint operations involving drone units and the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU).
One drone commander, identified by the callsign “Dyryhent”, said Starlink-equipped drones were able to operate normally again after one of the jamming systems was destroyed.
Besides electronic warfare, Ukrainian commanders said Russian forces have also adopted new tactics to protect military supplies.
Fuel and other logistics are now reportedly being transported in vehicles disguised as civilian trucks, including water tankers and milk lorries, making them more difficult to identify from the air.
Russian troops are also said to be using smaller convoys escorted by armed pickup trucks, travelling along less-monitored routes and relying on motorcycles, quad bikes and civilian cars to transport fuel, ammunition and supplies to frontline positions.
Ukraine’s military intelligence further claimed that Russia is concealing military supplies inside abandoned buildings, camouflaged underground shelters, agricultural structures and even civilian petrol stations.
Military analysts believe Ukraine’s mid-range drone campaign has become one of the most significant developments of the war this year, forcing Russia to adapt its logistics and air defence strategies.
However, experts also warn that if Russia significantly expands its electronic jamming capabilities, it could make Ukrainian drone operations more difficult in the months ahead.
Despite Ukraine’s success in disrupting Russian supply lines, the campaign has not stopped Moscow’s wider offensive, with Russia continuing to occupy around one-fifth of Ukrainian territory more than four years after launching its full-scale invasion.
