The EU confirmed that a jet carrying Ursula Von der Leyen was subjected to GPS jamming as it approached Plovdiv, Bulgaria, forcing pilots to rely on analogue maps and terrestrial navigation for a safe landing. Bulgarian authorities provided information that led the EU to suspect “blatant interference by Russia,” though the Kremlin has denied any involvement. The incident, which saw the entire airport’s GPS signals go dark, highlights the growing threat of electronic warfare, which can disrupt critical civilian and military systems. This is not an isolated event; Bulgarian officials have noted a significant increase in such activities since 2022.
Electronic warfare, such as GPS jamming and spoofing, is a tactic used to overwhelm or deceive a receiver’s navigation system. In this instance, the jamming neutralized the plane’s GPS signals, requiring the flight crew and air traffic control to revert to old-school navigation methods. While flying without GPS is technically feasible, it increases the workload for pilots, reduces efficiency, and limits precision, especially in poor visibility. The European Commission has characterized these disruptions as part of Russia’s regular hostile actions and a form of intimidation.
The incident with von der Leyen’s plane is part of a broader, well-documented pattern of GPS interference in Europe, particularly in the Baltic region.
Airlines have reported tens of thousands of GPS jamming incidents, and the problem has affected high-profile individuals before. In March 2024, a jet carrying then-UK Defence Secretary Grant Shapps had its GPS and communications disabled by an electronic warfare attack believed to be from Russia. The attack occurred while the plane was flying near Kaliningrad, a Russian exclave.
This surge in electronic warfare is seen as a deliberate strategy by Moscow, and the EU is taking countermeasures. The European Commission stated that this incident will “reinforce its commitment to ramp up our defence capabilities and support for Ukraine.” As a direct response to the GPS interference affecting von der Leyen’s flight, the EU is planning to deploy more low Earth orbit satellites. These satellites are intended to enhance the bloc’s ability to detect and counter such disruptions, reducing its reliance on vulnerable external systems like the US-owned GPS.
Ultimately, this incident underscores the vulnerability of modern aviation to electronic attacks and the escalation of “hybrid warfare” tactics. While the plane landed safely, the event serves as a stark reminder that geopolitical tensions can impact civilian infrastructure and the safety of high-level officials. The EU’s planned investment in its own satellite network and other defensive measures demonstrates a recognition of this evolving threat and a determination to build greater resilience against future electronic attacks.
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