What is Tobol, Russia’s secret signal-jamming weapon affecting many airplanes?
Image of the Tobol system with large satellite dish at Kaliningrad base.
Russia may be using a secret weapon named Tobol to disrupt electronic signals for commercial flights over the Baltic Sea. This weapon, previously usedagainst NATO ships, is reportedly stationed at a military base in Kaliningrad.
The electronic attacks have caused significant disruptions to satellite navigation systems, impacting the flight paths of manyaircraft. The Sun has published images of a large satellite dish located at the Kaliningrad base, suggesting it is part of the Tobol system, although there has been no official confirmation of this assertion. Additionally, The Sun has reported the existence of 10 similar devices across Russia.
By blocking satellite signals, Tobol aims to protect Russian bases from NATO missiles by confusing their guidance systems. However, it can't stop missiles from exploding.
According to The Washington Post, Tobol works by mixing signals with satellite broadcasts, disrupting information for all users.
In January, Erik Kannike from SensusQ suggested on X that widespread GPS disruptions affecting NATO assets might be due to Tobol.
According to Newsweek, Finland, Poland, and Sweden have all experienced GPS disruptions recently. Sweden's Lieutenant Colonel Joakim Paasikivi attributed the interference to Russian influence activities or hybrid warfare.
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
How fast can the Sukhoi Su-30 fighter jet really fly?
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
Why US tanks can spin their heavy turrets much faster than Russian tanks
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
Why US tanks weigh over 20 tons more than Russian tanks
)
Iran's army conducts drone & missile attack on US bases
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
Krishna Janmashtami 2026: From Dhaniya Panjiri to Makhana Kheer- 5 best sweet dishes perfect for celebrating Lord Krishna’s birth
)
Manipur violence: 25 houses torched in Manipur’s Kangpokpi a day after 10 homes were burnt along Imphal-Tamenglong road
)
Happy Krishna Janmashtami 2026 wishes: 30+ messages, quotes, greetings, and WhatsApp status ideas to share
)
Iran attacks US bases in Kuwait & UAE, supersecret missile project in focus | Gravitas
)
Suvendu Adhikari threatens to cut school aid over refusal to sing full Vande Mataram
)
The Verdict: Peace for Iran, pressure on Afghanistan: Pakistan’s contradictory diplomacy
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
New Friday OTT releases (September 4, 2026): GDN, Dhamaal 4, Jagamae Sangeetham- Watch 6 new movies and TV shows on Netflix, Prime Video and more
)
South Korea plans for military deployment in Strait of Hormuz amid US pressure
)
Volkswagen to cut 50,000 more jobs, 100,000 roles to be eliminated by 2030
)
Husband uses secret camera to record wife’s affair, wins divorce case, ends up in jail for spying
)
At least 2 killed in Minneapolis shooting, suspect also dead
)
ISRO stages comeback with GSLV-F17/EOS-05 success; targets six more launches
)
China detains 52 Singaporeans over alleged pyramid schemes; Beijing denies arrest
)
Killing the Himalayas slowly: Human urine is melting a glacier on Mount Everest
)
US Open 2026: Auger-Aliassime out but Swiatek, Osaka, and Gauff advance into third round
)
Nobel laureate Machado says Venezuela’s ‘illegitimate’ regime has no right to strike US oil deal
)
Who is Aditi Paudel? 17-year-old becomes Japan's first literacy ambassador
)
Kenya vs Tata Chemicals: Why President William Ruto ordered company to stop operations
)
Man pushes Russian humanoid robot. Watch what happens next
)
NATO troops gather in Arctic, Russia threatens nuclear retaliation
)
‘I wouldn’t call it a war,’ says JD Vance on ongoing conflict with Iran
)
Nigerian Navy discovers 99,000 litres of suspected stolen, illegally refined products as it intensifies anti-crude oil theft operations
)
Breaking | Vance takes the podium: First White House briefing since Leavitt's exit
)
Netherlands shifts 86 tonnes of gold reserve to UK citing geopolitical risks
)
Lollapalooza India 2027: From Olivia Dean to KATSEYE, check full lineup, dates and tickets
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
Why Russian fighter jets use bulky, low-pressure tyres compared to US jets
)
Inside Iran's shadow fleet: How Tehran dodges the US blockade at sea
)
Bangladesh batter Towhid Hridoy creates history with 350 not out in South Africa
)
Indian agencies uncover hawala, shell firms and fake trade used to hide illicit money, FATF says
A classified US intelligence report, as reported by The Washington Post in April 2023, revealed that Russia had tested Tobol to disrupt Starlink transmissions in Ukraine. Access to satellite networks like Starlink is crucial for Ukraine's operations and communications.
What does jamming do?
All modern planes use equipment to communicate with satellite systems like GPS and Galileo, helping pilots navigate accurately.
Jamming occurs when someone intentionally disrupts these signals, making it impossible for the plane to know its location. This increases the risk of accidents as pilots and air traffic control lose track of the aircraft.
Jamming is different from spoofing, which tricks the plane's equipment into thinking it's somewhere else.
Also watch |Russia claims three Ukrainian villages | 9 injured in Russian strikes in Odesa
(With inputs from agencies)