EU Commission President's Plane Experiences Suspected Russian GPS Jamming Over Bulgaria

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen's aircraft experienced GPS signal disruption while approaching Plovdiv Airport in Bulgaria on Sunday. Bulgarian authorities suspect the interference was due to "blatant" Russian actions.

The plane landed safely using ground-based navigation systems. A European Commission spokesperson stated that the incident underscores the urgency of von der Leyen's mission to frontline EU member states, where she has observed firsthand the everyday challenges posed by threats from Russia and its proxies.

Von der Leyen was on a four-day tour of EU nations bordering Russia and Belarus, aiming to assess regional security concerns and bolster support for Ukraine amidst ongoing Russian aggression. The European Commission emphasized that this event reinforces the EU's commitment to enhancing defense capabilities and supporting Ukraine.

GPS jamming incidents have been increasingly reported in Eastern Europe, particularly in areas adjacent to Russian territory. Such disruptions pose significant risks to aviation safety and are viewed as part of Russia's hybrid warfare tactics.