New advanced technology developed by the Russian military could cause major headaches for US billionaire Elon Musk, including Ukraine. It can detect and track signals from Ukraine's unmanned combat aerial vehicles (UAVs) connected to the Starlink satellite internet system. The Russian system has been named the 'Starlink Killer' and is officially known as the 'Kalinka Monitoring System'.
After the Russian invasion in February 2022, a large part of SpaceX's Starlink communications terminal, owned by US Elon Musk, was given to the Ukrainian military. Ukrainian forces are coordinating military operations using Starlink technology. Ukraine has attacked Russian infrastructure by connecting with air and water drones through this service.
The new state-of-the-art Kalinka monitoring system was developed by Russia's Center for Unmanned Systems and Technologies (CBST), Russian news agency Sputnik reported.
Last Saturday, the chairman of Russia's CBNT-Board, Andrei Bezrukov, said that Russian forces are currently testing a new system in Ukraine that can detect drones in the air and sea at a distance of 15 kilometers.
He also said the Kalinka system would help the Russian military to quickly identify and target Starlink terminals. Because 'the basic principles of radio signal transmission have not changed since radio was invented.' It can detect autonomous (driverless) boats and other objects, including so-called 'Baba Yaga' drones.
Mr. Bezrukov claimed that the Kalinka system could also operate a communications terminal for the military version of Starlink called Starshield. The signal detection range of the new system is largely dependent on the terrain of the search area and other electrical systems used by enemy forces.
Asked how long it would take to start mass production of the Kalinka system, Mr. Bezrukov said it would depend on the needs of Russian forces in combat zones.
SpaceX's Starlink is a satellite-based Internet service that provides high-speed broadband Internet worldwide. It transports data using photons of light in fiber optic cables and can deliver Internet service directly to users using a cluster of small satellites in low Earth orbit.
The Starlink program aims to provide Internet connectivity to areas with limited telecommunications infrastructure and has proven crucial for Ukrainian forces affected by the Russian invasion. The Ukrainian military was able to connect the drones using the Starlink network and attack Russian forces.
References: NDTV
