A plane carrying European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen experienced GPS jamming over Bulgaria, with Bulgarian authorities suspecting Russian interference. The incident occurred as the plane approached Plovdiv Airport, forcing the pilot to rely on alternative navigation methods. Von der Leyen was on a tour of EU nations bordering Russia and Belarus.
Key Takeaways
- European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen’s plane experienced GPS jamming over Bulgaria.
- Bulgarian authorities suspect Russian interference as the cause.
- The plane landed safely, but the incident highlights regional security concerns.
- Bulgaria’s government initially denied and then confirmed the GPS disruption, causing confusion.
Incident Details
The aircraft carrying von der Leyen encountered GPS jamming as it neared Plovdiv International Airport. A spokesperson for the European Commission confirmed the jamming and stated that Bulgarian authorities suspect "blatant interference by Russia." The Financial Times reported that the pilot had to use paper maps for landing due to the disruption.
Bulgarian Government’s Shifting Stance
The Bulgarian government’s response to the incident was marked by initial denials followed by retractions. Initially, Deputy Prime Minister and Transport Minister Grozdan Karadzhov denied any evidence of GPS signal disruption. However, Prime Minister Rosen Zhelyazkov later reversed this position, stating that while ground instruments might not have detected jamming, the aircraft’s onboard systems could have. He instructed the Civil Aviation Authority to investigate further with the operating airline.
Broader Context and Reactions
Von der Leyen’s visit to Bulgaria was part of a tour of EU states on the bloc’s eastern flank, considered more exposed to threats from Russia. The incident has been seen as underscoring the urgency of the mission and reinforcing the EU’s commitment to enhancing defense capabilities. The event also occurred amidst discussions among Western powers regarding security guarantees for Ukraine in the event of a truce with Russia. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov has denied accusations of Russian involvement.
Previous incidents of GPS jamming affecting flights in Europe have been reported, with Russia and its proxies often being accused of such activities since the full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
