European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen’s plane encountered a serious navigation disruption on Sunday while en route to Plovdiv, Bulgaria.
The European Commission confirmed the cause was “GPS jamming,” with suspicions pointing to Russian interference, though Moscow denies involvement.
Bulgarian authorities reported that the satellite signal feeding the aircraft’s GPS was completely neutralized upon approach.
In response, air traffic controllers guided the pilots using terrestrial navigation tools and paper maps, enabling a safe landing.
Reports indicate the aircraft circled the airport for nearly an hour before successfully landing.
This incident fits a growing pattern of GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System) interference in Eastern Europe, particularly in regions bordering Russia.
EU member states including Finland, Latvia, and Lithuania have logged hundreds of such disruptions—ranging from GPS jamming to spoofing—affecting aviation, maritime operations, and drones.
Bulgarian air traffic authorities reported a notable rise in incidents since February 2022. Experts suggest Russia and Belarus are behind these “systemic, deliberate” disruptions.
Germany’s military chief also disclosed having suffered similar jamming attacks over the Baltic region during recent flights, underscoring the scale of the threat to military and civilian systems alike.
The Commission framed the incident not only as a navigational hazard but also as a stark reminder of “hostile actions” frequently deployed by Russia, reinforcing the EU’s resolve to accelerate investments in defence and to bolster support for Ukraine.