Incident Overview
Authorities suspect that Russia interfered with the satellite signals of a plane carrying Ursula von der Leyen, president of the European Commission, as it flew over Bulgaria. The alleged jamming forced the aircraft to circle Plovdiv airport for an hour on Sunday.
Details of the Flight
Von der Leyen was en route to Plovdiv when her charter flight experienced a loss of satellite navigation aids, resulting in a delayed arrival in the central Bulgarian city. The commission’s deputy spokesperson, Arianna Podestà, confirmed the situation. “We have received information from the Bulgarian authorities that they suspect this was due to blatant interference by Russia. Of course, we are aware and used to … the threats and intimidations that are a regular component of Russia’s hostile behaviour,” she stated.
Context of GPS Interference
Interference with satellite navigation has become increasingly prevalent near Russian airspace, though it remains uncertain if von der Leyen was specifically targeted. When asked about this possibility, Podestà remarked, “The question is best asked to the Russians.”
Major airports have alternatives such as radio navigation systems, which remain reliable even when GPS signals are compromised.
This incident was initially reported by the Financial Times, which indicated that the plane circled Plovdiv airport for one hour.
Broader EU Trip and Security Concerns
The occurrence transpired during von der Leyen’s four-day visit to seven EU member states situated along the bloc’s eastern frontier. While in Vilnius on Monday, she chose not to address the event, but instead discussed the “constant military and hybrid threats” confronting Lithuania. “As Lithuania is being tested, Europe as a whole is being tested,” she noted, referencing two drones that had crossed the border from Belarus last month.
Podestà mentioned that the incident “only reinforces even further our unshakeable commitment to ramp up defence capabilities and our support for Ukraine.”
Past Incidents of Jamming
This is not the first instance of alleged GPS jamming attributed to Russia. In March 2024, a plane carrying then UK Defence Secretary Grant Shapps experienced GPS signal disruption near Kaliningrad, leading to confusion about whether he was the intended target.
Notably, GPS jamming and “spoofing” tactics—used to distort navigation information—have surged since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, escalating notably over the past year. In June, 13 EU member states voiced concerns over the interference threats disrupting transportation.
Poland recorded 2,732 incidents of electronic interference in January 2025, significantly up from 1,908 in October 2023. Lithuania had 1,185 cases in January, compared to 556 in March 2024, according to an internal EU document from May.
This document suggests that such interferences are not random but rather systemic actions by Russia and Belarus, labeling the ease of causing significant damage as alarming: “Causing significant damage has been simple and cheap” with expectations for ongoing occurrences absent “proportional countermeasures.”
EU Sanctions and Future Strategies
In response to the growing jamming issue, the European Commission recently imposed sanctions on several companies tied to GPS disruption linked to Russia. Additionally, the Commission is formulating aviation-specific strategies to combat these jamming efforts.
Related Developments in Ukraine
In a related context, Ukrainian authorities have accused Russia of being involved in the assassination of Andriy Parubiy, a former parliamentary speaker and pro-western politician, in Lviv over the weekend. National police chief Ivan Vyhivskyi emphasized on Facebook that this act was premeditated, stating, “We know that this crime was not accidental. There is Russian involvement. Everyone will be held accountable before the law.”
He described the assailant, who disguised himself as a delivery driver, as having meticulously planned the attack, which occurred in broad daylight.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy remarked that the “horrific murder” poses a significant threat to security in a country currently engaged in war. The atmosphere surrounding peace talks remains tenuous, particularly following a recent summit between Russian President Vladimir Putin and US President Donald Trump that yielded little progress. As the deadline for new sanctions approaches, Macron has accused Putin of attempting to manipulate the situation.
Von der Leyen noted that allies of Ukraine are striving to solidify security guarantees, identifying a “strong, well-equipped and experienced” Ukrainian army as the first line of defense, alongside a coalition of willing nations, supported by the US.
A coalition of approximately 30 countries has indicated commitments to support Ukraine, although uncertainties remain about troop deployments and the extent of European military involvement. The US expects its allies to play a significant role while potentially providing logistical assistance.
Zelenskyy is anticipated to meet with European leaders in Paris on Thursday to discuss measures to address Russia’s ongoing invasion.
