• Source:JND
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A plane carrying European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen was reportedly subjected to suspected Russian GPS jamming while preparing to land in Bulgaria on Sunday, forcing pilots to switch to paper maps to complete the landing. European Commission spokesperson Arianna Podesta confirmed the interference, stating: “We can indeed confirm that there was GPS jamming, but the plane landed safely in Bulgaria.” Bulgarian authorities later informed the EU that they suspect the disruption was a result of “blatant interference by Russia.”

According to the Financial Times, von der Leyen’s aircraft was unable to rely on satellite navigation as it approached Plovdiv Airport. The Bulgarian government confirmed that the “satellite signal transmitting information to the plane’s GPS navigation system was neutralised.” To ensure safety, air traffic controllers immediately shifted to terrestrial navigation tools, and the pilots successfully used paper charts to guide the landing.

A Bulgarian Air Traffic Services Authority official noted a “notable increase” in navigation signal disruptions since early 2022, coinciding with the escalation of Russia’s war in Ukraine.

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Heightened Security Concerns

Von der Leyen was in Bulgaria as part of a seven-country tour of frontline EU nations along the bloc’s eastern border, which are more vulnerable to Russian hybrid threats. Despite the incident, she continued her planned itinerary.

The European Commission underscored that the episode highlights the urgent need for stronger investment in defence and electronic security. “This is yet another reminder of the hybrid threats facing the European Union,” an EU official said, stressing that strengthening cyber and electronic defence capabilities will remain a top priority.

Part Of Growing Pattern

GPS jamming incidents have surged in recent years, particularly in the Baltic Sea and Black Sea regions. Since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, commercial aircraft, passenger flights, and maritime navigation systems have been affected by repeated signal disruptions. CNN, citing EU officials, reported that this is not an isolated event, as GPS interference is increasingly being used as part of Russia’s broader hybrid warfare strategy.

Strong Advocate For Ukraine

Von der Leyen has been one of Ukraine’s most outspoken supporters in Europe, pressing member states to step up military and financial aid to Kyiv. She recently joined other European leaders at US President Donald Trump’s summit on Ukraine, reiterating the EU’s commitment to backing Ukraine against Russia’s ongoing aggression.

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The suspected GPS attack underscores the risks faced by European leaders traveling through regions exposed to Russian electronic warfare. While no injuries occurred, the incident served as a stark warning of the vulnerabilities in modern navigation systems and the growing scope of hybrid threats facing Europe.