Brussels: European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen’s aircraft came under suspected GPS jamming while flying to Bulgaria on Sunday, an act EU officials attribute to Russian interference. Despite the disruption, the plane landed safely at Plovdiv Airport, with pilots forced to rely on manual navigation and backup systems to ensure a secure landing.
According to an EU spokesperson, the GPS disruption temporarily disabled the aircraft’s navigation systems. Bulgarian authorities, who monitored the incident closely, indicated that the interference appeared deliberate and aligned with previous electronic disruptions linked to Russian tactics. The Commission described the event as a “blatant example of hostile action,” emphasizing the broader implications for aviation safety and regional security.
The incident highlights vulnerabilities in modern air travel to electronic warfare techniques. Experts say GPS jamming can compromise flight safety, disrupt communications, and challenge even well-prepared crews. In this case, the pilots successfully switched to traditional navigation, demonstrating both preparedness and the importance of redundant aviation systems in critical missions.
The European Commission condemned the act and reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening defense and security mechanisms across the continent, particularly in response to rising threats from Russia amid the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. Officials also noted that the event could further strain EU-Russia relations, already tense due to geopolitical conflicts, sanctions, and airspace disputes.
The EU plans to address the matter in upcoming high-level meetings, exploring enhanced protections for aircraft systems, coordination with member states, and international collaboration to prevent similar incidents. Analysts say the event underscores the growing risk posed by hybrid threats, including cyber and electronic warfare, to both civil and strategic operations in Europe.