A plane carrying European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen faced a major navigation problem while flying over Bulgaria. Officials confirmed that the plane experienced GPS jamming, which means the satellite signals used for navigation were blocked or interfered with. Authorities in Bulgaria suspect that this was the result of a Russian operation.
The incident happened during von der Leyen’s ongoing tour of European Union countries that share borders with Russia and Belarus. The purpose of her visit is to strengthen ties with these nations and show support for them during a time of rising tensions in the region.
Arianna Podesta, the European Commission’s spokesperson, confirmed the incident. “We can indeed confirm that there was GPS jamming. We have received information from the Bulgarian authority that they suspect this was due to blatant interference by Russia,” she told reporters.
Despite the disruption, the aircraft landed safely at Plovdiv airport in Bulgaria. Von der Leyen continued her schedule without delay, underlining the importance of her mission. Podesta added, “This incident actually underlines the urgency of the mission that the president is carrying out in the front-line member states.” She stressed that the EU remains committed to strengthening defense, security, and readiness in the face of ongoing threats.
Ursula von der Leyen has been one of the most vocal critics of Russian President Vladimir Putin and Moscow’s war in Ukraine. Since Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022, she has played a central role in rallying European support for Kyiv, pushing for sanctions on Russia, and providing aid and weapons to Ukraine.
Recently, she held talks with U.S. President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. In these meetings, she repeated her call for Putin to “come to the table” and agree to a permanent peace in Ukraine, backed by firm security guarantees.
The GPS jamming incident came at a time of escalating violence in Ukraine. Just a few days earlier, Russia launched one of its largest attacks on Kyiv in months, firing 31 missiles and sending around 600 drones into the city. Ukrainian authorities reported 21 deaths and more than 50 injuries from the strikes. These attacks have fueled fresh calls within the EU to provide Ukraine with stronger military support and better defense systems against not only direct attacks but also hybrid threats like cyber warfare and electronic interference.
Bulgaria’s transport ministry confirmed that the satellite signal used for aircraft navigation had been disrupted during von der Leyen’s flight. While investigations are still ongoing, Bulgarian authorities strongly suspect deliberate outside interference. The timing of the incident has drawn further attention because it happened as Putin was visiting China for the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit, where he also held talks with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
EU officials have warned that the incident is another example of the hybrid tactics Russia has been using. Hybrid warfare does not rely only on military strikes but also includes cyberattacks, disinformation campaigns, and electronic warfare such as GPS jamming. These methods are designed to create confusion, disrupt operations, and undermine confidence in security systems.
“This is a reminder of the everyday threats faced by Europe,” Podesta said. She explained that the European Union takes these risks very seriously and will continue to invest heavily in defense and resilience. Plans are already underway to increase defense spending, improve cybersecurity, and develop stronger protection for civilian infrastructure such as airports and communication networks.
Von der Leyen’s tour of EU countries bordering Russia and Belarus will continue despite the disruption. For Brussels, the tour is meant to send a clear political message: that the EU stands united, especially in regions most vulnerable to pressure and threats from Moscow.
The European Union has also been coordinating closely with NATO on matters of defense. Many member states believe that Russia’s latest actions show the urgent need to modernize Europe’s defense systems. The EU is also working on ways to strengthen its ability to respond quickly to hybrid threats, including new rules for protecting critical infrastructure and joint defense initiatives among member states.
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The GPS jamming incident is not just a European issue. Aviation experts warn that interference with satellite navigation can endanger flights around the world. In most cases, pilots are trained to rely on backup systems if GPS signals fail, but deliberate interference raises the risk of accidents and increases tensions between countries.
For Ursula von der Leyen, however, the safe landing of her plane allowed her to continue her important mission. The timing of the incident, her strong position on Ukraine, and the EU’s determination to keep supporting Kyiv all highlight the broader struggle between Russia and the West.
The European Union sees its role as not only helping Ukraine defend itself but also protecting its own citizens from the spillover of the conflict. The recent Russian missile and drone strikes, combined with the suspected GPS jamming, have made it clear that the war is not confined to Ukrainian territory—it is part of a wider confrontation affecting all of Europe.
As von der Leyen’s tour continues, the EU is expected to announce more measures to strengthen cooperation with frontline states. Officials say the GPS jamming episode has only reinforced the urgency of building a more secure and united Europe.
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