The navigation system of a plane carrying Ursula von der Leyen was disrupted due to suspected Russian interference, the European Commission said. A spokesperson stated that the 'GPS jamming' occurred just as the Commission president was about to land in southern Bulgaria on Sunday, but she landed safely nonetheless.
They added, 'We have received information from the Bulgarian authorities that they suspect that this was due to blatant interference by Russia.' According to the Financial Times, citing unnamed officials, von der Leyen's plane had to land at Plovdiv Airport with the pilots relying on paper maps.
The European Commission emphasized that 'threats and intimidation are a regular component of Russia's hostile actions' and this incident would strengthen their commitment to enhancing defense capabilities and support for Ukraine. The Bulgarian government confirmed that during the flight, 'the satellite signal transmitting information to the plane's GPS navigation system was neutralized.'
To ensure safety, air control services promptly offered an alternative landing method using terrestrial navigation tools. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov dismissed the claims, stating the information was 'incorrect.'
The incident highlights a notable increase in navigation jamming since January 2022. Experts warn that Russia has been causing disruptions to satellite navigation systems, affecting thousands of civilian flights. Cyrille Rosay, a senior cybersecurity expert at the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), noted that these issues worsened following Russia's invasion of Ukraine, further straining air safety and international relations.
During her visit to Bulgaria, part of a tour of eastern EU states discussing defense readiness, von der Leyen witnessed firsthand the ongoing threats posed by Russia and its proxies.
They added, 'We have received information from the Bulgarian authorities that they suspect that this was due to blatant interference by Russia.' According to the Financial Times, citing unnamed officials, von der Leyen's plane had to land at Plovdiv Airport with the pilots relying on paper maps.
The European Commission emphasized that 'threats and intimidation are a regular component of Russia's hostile actions' and this incident would strengthen their commitment to enhancing defense capabilities and support for Ukraine. The Bulgarian government confirmed that during the flight, 'the satellite signal transmitting information to the plane's GPS navigation system was neutralized.'
To ensure safety, air control services promptly offered an alternative landing method using terrestrial navigation tools. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov dismissed the claims, stating the information was 'incorrect.'
The incident highlights a notable increase in navigation jamming since January 2022. Experts warn that Russia has been causing disruptions to satellite navigation systems, affecting thousands of civilian flights. Cyrille Rosay, a senior cybersecurity expert at the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), noted that these issues worsened following Russia's invasion of Ukraine, further straining air safety and international relations.
During her visit to Bulgaria, part of a tour of eastern EU states discussing defense readiness, von der Leyen witnessed firsthand the ongoing threats posed by Russia and its proxies.
