Russia Accused of Jamming GPS on EU Chief Ursula von der Leyen's Plane to Bulgaria

GPS Jamming Incident

• ✈️ The plane carrying European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen experienced GPS jamming while approaching Bulgaria.
• ⚠️ The incident forced the pilot to rely on paper maps for landing, deviating from standard instrument navigation.
• 🇪🇺 The European Commission stated that Bulgarian authorities suspect blatant interference by Russia.

Russia's Alleged Hybrid Warfare

• 🇷🇺 This event is seen by Western governments as part of Russia's pattern of hybrid warfare tactics.
• 🚫 The Kremlin has reportedly denied any involvement in the GPS jamming incident.
• 🗺️ The incident is compared to a similar event involving an RAF plane over the Baltic last year, allegedly originating from the Russian exclave of Kaliningrad.

EU Response and Broader Context

• 💬 The European Commission views such incidents as threats and intimidation, reinforcing their commitment to defense capabilities and support for Ukraine.
• 🛰️ The EU plans to deploy additional satellites to enhance its ability to detect GPS interference.
• 📈 Bulgaria has reported a noticeable increase in GPS incidents, including jamming, since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.