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Russian authorities are reportedly suspected of interfering with Global Positioning System (GPS) signals, targeting the jet carrying European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen as it attempted to land at Plovdiv airport in Bulgaria. According to officials, the suspected jamming forced von der Leyen’s plane to circle the airport for nearly an hour before the pilot had to rely on paper maps instead of electronic navigation.
“We can confirm there was GPS jamming but the plane landed safely,” Arianna Podesta, deputy chief spokesperson for the European Commission, told Newsweek in a statement. “We have received information from Bulgarian authorities that they suspect this blatant interference was carried out by Russia.”
Newsweek reached out to the Permanent Mission of the Russian Federation to the European Union for comment.
European allies have regularly accused Russia of GPS jamming at seaports and airports as part of Moscow’s hybrid warfare tactics against the West. The ongoing invasion of Ukraine has escalated these tensions, with such incidents ranging from disruptive to dangerous.
“We are well aware that threats and intimidation are a regular component of Russia’s hostile actions,” Podesta told Newsweek. “This will further reinforce our unshakable commitment to ramp up our defense capabilities and support for Ukraine.”
The incident underscores the urgency of President von der Leyen’s current trip to frontline Member States, where she has witnessed firsthand the ongoing threats from Russia and its proxies. The EU will continue to invest in defense and readiness.
Ukraine’s European allies are supporting Kyiv with military and diplomatic assistance as it fights off Russian aggression. They have proposed sending troops to ensure Moscow does not invade again once the war ends. However, Russia has rejected this proposal and accuses Europe of trying to derail U.S. President Donald Trump’s attempts at peace by prolonging the conflict to weaken Moscow.
Moscow demands recognition of its control over seized Ukrainian land and Ukrainian neutrality, meaning no NATO membership. European allies urge Trump not to reward Putin for the illegal invasion through deeper sanctions and support for Ukraine’s defense.
During her visit, von der Leyen met with Bulgarian Prime Minister Rosen Zhelyazkov to discuss defense production and sharply criticized Russian President Vladimir Putin for continuing his war against Ukraine. “Russia’s brutal war against Ukraine is in its fourth year,” she stated. “Putin has not changed, and he will not change. He is a predator. He can only be kept in check through strong deterrence.”
Updated: 1/9/25, 6:40 a.m. ET: This article was updated with more information.
