Key Facts
• On September 4, Sweden accused Russia of GPS jamming over the Baltic Sea.
• Sweden’s Transport Agency (STA) recorded 733 GPS jamming incidents in 2025 so far.
• This marks a sharp increase from 55 incidents in 2023.
• STA identified the source of interference as originating from Russian territory.
• GPS jamming affects both aviation and maritime transport safety.
• The interference has expanded geographically, now affecting Swedish airspace and waters.
• On August 31, Ursula von der Leyen’s aircraft experienced GPS jamming near Bulgaria.
• Pilots reportedly relied on paper maps to land safely at Plovdiv Airport.
• The European Commission condemned the incident as “blatant interference” by Russia.
• Baltic nations and European countries raised the issue with the ICAO in June 2025.
• ICAO expressed “serious concern” and urged Russia to cease such activities.
• Russia denies involvement, claiming no evidence links it to the GPS disruptions.
• GPS jamming incidents have surged since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.
• Experts warn of increased collision risks when GPS systems are disrupted.
• The UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) downplayed the severity, citing alternative navigation systems.
Summary
Sweden has accused Russia of daily GPS jamming incidents over the Baltic Sea in 2025, with 733 cases reported so far, a significant rise from 55 in 2023. The interference, traced to Russian territory, poses risks to aviation and maritime safety, expanding into Swedish airspace and waters. A notable incident occurred on August 31, when European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen’s aircraft experienced GPS jamming near Bulgaria, forcing pilots to use paper maps. The European Commission condemned the act as Russian interference, while Russia denied involvement. Baltic nations and European countries raised the issue with the ICAO, which expressed concern and urged Russia to stop. Experts highlight the risks of collisions due to GPS disruptions, though the UK CAA noted that modern aircraft rely on multiple navigation systems. The surge in GPS jamming coincides with Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine, raising concerns about its impact on European security.
