A plane carrying European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen experienced GPS jamming while approaching Plovdiv Airport in Bulgaria on Sunday, forcing the pilot to rely on paper maps to land safely.
Bulgarian authorities suspect Russia was behind the interference, according to a European Commission spokesperson. The Dassault Falcon 900LX circled the airport for nearly an hour before landing. Von der Leyen was unharmed and continued her tour of EU countries bordering Russia and Belarus.
The trip is part of efforts to strengthen European defense and demonstrate support for Ukraine, which remains at war with Russia. During her visit, von der Leyen described Russian President Vladimir Putin as a “predator” and urged EU nations to increase defense spending.
GPS jamming, which blocks or disrupts satellite navigation signals, has become increasingly common in Eastern Europe since Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine.
Experts say such tactics can affect both civilian and military operations, posing risks to aviation safety. Bulgaria’s Air Traffic Services Authority has reported a sharp rise in these incidents, which can delay flights and place heavy pressure on pilots.
Russia has denied involvement in GPS disruptions. The European Commission said the incident underlined the need for stronger security measures, and the EU is preparing strategies to counter satellite signal interference and protect air travel.
