{"id":32355,"date":"2026-06-22T09:03:19","date_gmt":"2026-06-22T06:03:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/thedefender.media\/?p=32355"},"modified":"2026-06-22T09:05:53","modified_gmt":"2026-06-22T06:05:53","slug":"black-mirror-64","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/thedefender.media\/en\/2026\/06\/black-mirror-64\/","title":{"rendered":"Black Mirror #64: The Banderol cruise missile, Volna Kupol Garant against Starlink, and other Russian miltech developments"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Last week, Russian sources discussed the operational deployment of the Banderol missile-drone, updated variants of the Gerbera and Skat reconnaissance UAVs, and the reported use of the Volna Kupol Garant EW system against Ukrainian drones utilising Starlink satellite communications. More on these and other developments in Russia\u2019s defence-industrial sector can be found in Defender Media\u2019s weekly Black Mirror<\/a> review.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

New jet-powered drone spotted in southern Ukraine<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Ukrainian forces operating in southern Ukraine have recorded the deployment of a new, serially produced Russian strike UAV. According<\/a> to Serhii Beskrestnov, adviser to Ukraine\u2019s Minister of Defence, the system belongs to a class of low-cost jet-powered drones optimised for mass production.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The UAV utilises an analogue video link operating at 3.3 GHz and is reportedly capable of flying up to 100 kilometres. To date, strikes involving the system have been recorded at distances of 30\u201340 kilometres from the front line.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\u041d\u0435\u0432\u0456\u0434\u043e\u043c\u0438\u0439
Wreckage of an unidentified Russian UAV<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The drone\u2019s cruising speed is approximately 260 km\/h, with bursts up to 300 km\/h. Its warhead is estimated to weigh between four and five kilograms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Russians deploy new EW system against Starlink<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Russian forces continue to experiment with electronic warfare systems designed to disrupt the Starlink satellite communications network, Beskrestnov reports.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Against the backdrop of Ukrainian strikes on Russian logistics infrastructure, specialised EW systems targeting Starlink have once again been observed in operation. Ukrainian units recently destroyed one such system.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\u0423\u0440\u0430\u0436\u0435\u043d\u0438\u0439
Volna Kupol Garant EW system after being struck. Video screenshot<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The Volna Kupol Garant electronic warfare system is produced by the Simferopol-based company Russian Dome. The complex employs an array of satellite antennas that generate powerful interference within the frequency bands used by Starlink terminals to communicate with satellites.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A single system is said to provide coverage over an area of roughly 20 square kilometres. The complex is mounted on six trailers, each carrying two antennas, and can operate via either onboard generators or external power sources.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Russia unveils four-engine version of the Molniya-2 loitering munition<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Russian developers have presented a new version of the Molniya-2 loitering munition designated Lightning 13. The principal modification is the integration of four engines instead of two.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to available information, the UAV will be manufactured in both standard and budget variants. While the overall concept remains unchanged, the most notable upgrade is an increase in warhead capacity to 13 kilograms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\u041e\u043d\u043e\u0432\u043b\u0435\u043d\u0438\u0439
Updated Russian Molniya 13 UAV<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Sibiryachok-5 completes electronic warfare resistance trials<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Russia has unveiled a new quadcopter known as the Sibiryachok-5, positioned as an analogue to the DJI Mavic family of UAVs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to Rostec, the drone maintained operational capability during tests conducted under heavy radio-frequency interference and also “demonstrated resilience in adverse weather conditions, including freezing rain”. In the event of signal loss, the aircraft automatically switches to a visual odometry system, maintains its position, and returns to its launch point autonomously.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Declared specifications include an endurance of up to 90 minutes, a control range of up to 28 kilometres, an operating altitude of up to one kilometre, and a payload capacity of up to four kilograms. The UAV is also equipped with a laser rangefinder, a camera offering 160x optical zoom, and a night-vision module.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Rostec demonstrates the Spasatel-R1 uncrewed surface vessel<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Rostec has presented the Spasatel-R1 uncrewed surface vessel. The craft is marketed as a multi-purpose civilian platform for search-and-rescue operations, environmental monitoring, inspection of distressed vessels, cargo delivery, and data relay missions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The company also states that the platform can be deployed to monitor water areas and inspect hydraulic infrastructure.<\/p>\n\n\n\n