Key Facts
• On August 31, Ursula von der Leyen’s plane experienced GPS jamming near Bulgaria.
• The incident occurred shortly before landing in southern Bulgaria.
• The plane landed safely using alternative ground navigation systems.
• Bulgarian authorities suspect Russian interference in the GPS disruption.
• European Commission condemned the act as a hostile tactic by Russia.
• Since February 2022, GPS jamming incidents have significantly increased in Eastern Europe.
• Thousands of cases have been reported near the Baltic region in recent years.
• In 2024, a UK military plane also reported GPS spoofing near Kaliningrad.
• EU plans to deploy additional satellites to enhance GPS interference detection.
• Russia denies involvement, calling related accusations incorrect.
Summary
The European Commission reported that Ursula von der Leyen’s plane faced GPS jamming on August 31 while approaching southern Bulgaria. Despite the disruption, the aircraft landed safely using alternative navigation systems. Bulgarian authorities suspect Russian interference, aligning with a broader pattern of increased GPS jamming since Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine. Thousands of incidents have been reported in Eastern Europe, particularly near the Baltic region. The EU condemned the act as a hostile tactic and announced plans to strengthen GPS interference detection by deploying additional satellites. Russia denies involvement, maintaining its stance against accusations of civilian aviation interference.
