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 the GPS jamming occurred while the Commission president was approaching Plovdiv Airport in southern Bulgaria on Sunday, but she safely landed, aided by alternative navigation methods utilizing paper maps.
The European Commission mentioned they received evidence from Bulgarian authorities suggesting direct involvement of Russia. This allegation underscores ongoing concerns regarding Russia's tactics to interfere with Western operations, particularly since the escalation of conflict in Ukraine.
Bulgaria's government confirmed that the satellite signals crucial for GPS navigation were neutralized during the flight. As a temporary safety measure, air control services provided alternative landing guidance based on terrestrial navigation.
Cyrille Rosay, a senior cybersecurity expert at the European Union Aviation Safety Agency, noted that such jamming incidents have increased since the start of Russia's large-scale military actions in Ukraine. As a response, the European Commission is reinforcing defense strategies and capabilities in light of these hostile acts.
Von der Leyen was in the region to evaluate defense preparedness among Eastern EU states, reflecting the challenges posed by Russian aggression.
