The navigation system of a plane carrying Ursula von der Leyen was disrupted due to suspected Russian interference, the European Commission has said.
A spokesperson stated the GPS jamming occurred just as the Commission president was about to arrive in southern Bulgaria on Sunday, although she landed safely.
Reports indicate that von der Leyen's pilots had to use paper maps due to the disruption, which the Bulgarian authorities suspect was a blatant act of interference by Russia.
The European Commission condemned such actions as regular components of Russia’s hostile strategies, emphasizing a commitment to strengthening defense capabilities and support for Ukraine. The EU also plans to deploy additional satellites to enhance its ability to detect GPS interference.
The Bulgarian government confirmed that the satellite signal for the plane’s GPS navigation system was neutralized during the flight, leading air control services to provide alternative navigation tools for safety.
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov claimed this information was incorrect.
Notably, the Bulgarian Air Traffic Services Authority observed a rise in GPS incidents, including jamming, since February 2022—the month when Russia initiated its full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Tens of thousands of similar incidents have been reported, particularly around the Baltic coast, prompting significant concern among eastern European countries.
Moreover, the practice of GPS jamming poses critical risks for aviation safety, increasing the potential for collisions due to navigation difficulties.
The situation has escalated to the point where aviation authorities have held conferences to address the implications of these jamming incidents on global air transport.
While the UK's Civil Aviation Authority noted that navigational systems do not solely depend on GPS, disruptions can still present hazardous situations for pilots and their aircraft.
The increasing normalization of these interference incidents reflects broader regional tensions and highlights the urgent need for improved protective measures in the airspace near conflict zones.
Von der Leyen's visit to Bulgaria is part of a larger tour of eastern EU states aimed at discussing defense readiness amidst these heightened concerns.
