Escalating Hybrid Warfare: Russia Suspected of Jamming GPS on von der Leyen’s Plane
Escalating Hybrid Warfare: Russia Suspected of Jamming GPS on von der Leyen’s Plane
A plane carrying European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen was reportedly subjected to suspected Russian GPS jamming over Bulgaria on Sunday, forcing the aircraft to circle an airport for an hour. The incident occurred as von der Leyen was en route to Plovdiv, with her charter plane losing critical satellite navigation aids.
European Commission deputy spokesperson Arianna Podestà confirmed the event, stating, “We have received information from the Bulgarian authorities that they suspect this was due to blatant interference by Russia.” Podestà further acknowledged the increasing frequency of such “threats and intimidations” as a component of Russia’s hostile behavior, though it remains unclear if von der Leyen was specifically targeted.
This incident is part of a broader pattern of escalating electronic warfare. An internal EU document drafted in May 2025 describes interference to global satellite navigation systems as “not random incidents but a systemic, deliberate action by Russia and Belarus.” Data cited in the document indicates a sharp rise in electronic interference, with Poland recording 2,732 cases in January 2025 (up from 1,908 in October 2023) and Lithuania 1,185 cases in the same month (up from 556 in March 2024).
In response to these growing threats, the European Commission announced on Monday that it has imposed sanctions on several companies implicated in GPS signal disruption originating from Russia. The Commission is also actively developing an aviation-specific plan and broader strategies to counter the persistent threat of jamming.
During a subsequent visit to Vilnius, von der Leyen underscored the gravity of the situation, speaking of “constant military and hybrid threats” facing EU member states and emphasizing Europe’s commitment to strengthening its defense capabilities.
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