What is Russia’s ‘zone-effect’ anti-satellite weapon which could fire thousands of millimetre-sized pellets to destroy Elon Musk’s Starlink

Russia is reportedly developing a new anti-satellite weapon designed to target Elon Musk’s Starlink constellation, according to intelligence assessments from two NATO countries cited by The Associated Press (AP). The suspected system, or Russia’s new anti-satellite weapon described as a “zone-effect” weapon, is intended to disrupt or disable multiple Starlink satellites simultaneously by flooding their orbits with vast numbers of high-density pellets, the report said.

What is the ‘zone effect,’ Russia’s new anti-satellite weapon?

According to intelligence findings reviewed by AP, the ‘Zone effect,’ Russia’s new anti-satellite weapon, would deploy ‘hundreds of thousands of high-density pellets’ into low-Earth orbit, creating a cloud capable of damaging or disabling satellites passing through it. Unlike traditional anti-satellite missiles that strike a single target, the system would be launched from formations of small satellites, allowing it to affect multiple Starlink units at once, AP reported.


Additionally, according to the intelligence findings, the pellets would be so tiny—"just millimeters across"—that they would avoid detection by space-based and ground-based systems that look for space objects, making it difficult to assign blame for any attack on Moscow.

Russia’s new anti-satellite weapon ‘zone effect’ could cause collateral damage

Analysts who have not reviewed the intelligence directly have expressed skepticism about whether such a weapon could be used without triggering uncontrollable chaos in space.

A large-scale debris field could threaten not only Western satellites but also space assets belonging to Russia and its allies, including China, which rely heavily on orbiting systems for communications, navigation, and defense. These potential repercussions could act as a deterrent to Moscow deploying the weapon.

NATO officials warned of Russia’s new anti-satellite weapon ‘zone effect’

Canadian Brigadier General Christopher Horner, commander of Canada’s space division within its air force, told AP that the scenario could not be dismissed outright, especially given earlier US warnings that Russia may be seeking to deploy nuclear weapons in space. However, Horner stressed that controlling the trajectory of debris generated by an attack on a Starlink satellite would be “almost impossible,” raising concerns about long-term damage to the space environment.

AP said it was allowed to review the intelligence reports on the condition that the agencies involved were not named and that the conclusions could not be independently verified.

Why Russia’s new anti-satellite weapon ‘zone effect’ could target Starlink

Moscow has long viewed Starlink as a significant military concern. Thousands of the low-Earth orbit satellites owned by Elon Musk have played a critical role in Ukraine’s defense during Russia’s full-scale invasion, providing high-speed internet for battlefield communications, weapons targeting, and civilian use.

Russia has previously warned that commercial satellites supporting Ukraine’s military could be considered legitimate targets.

Russia’s existing anti-satellite capabilities

In December, Moscow announced it had deployed its S-500 ground-based missile system, which it claims is capable of striking low-Earth orbit targets. Russia also tested an anti-satellite missile in 2021, an action that created a large debris field and drew international criticism.

The suspected new system, however, would differ by aiming to disable multiple satellites at once while making it difficult to trace responsibility, as the fragments involved would be only millimeters in size, AP reported.