Ursula von der Leyen’s Aircraft Diverted by Suspected Russian GPS Interference

A suspected interference operation believed to be orchestrated by Russia forced European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen to land her aircraft without the aid of GPS navigation while approaching Plovdiv Airport in Bulgaria. The incident occurred on the afternoon of October 22, 2023, highlighting growing concerns over electronic warfare tactics employed in civilian airspace.

As von der Leyen’s jet neared Plovdiv, the aircraft’s GPS navigation systems abruptly failed. According to three officials privy to the situation, this event was classified as a deliberate act of interference. “The whole airport area GPS went dark,” one official reported. After circling the airport for approximately an hour, the pilot opted to land manually using traditional paper maps. “It was undeniable interference,” an official added.

The Bulgarian Air Traffic Services Authority confirmed the incident, stating in a communication to the Financial Times that there has been a marked increase in GPS jamming and spoofing incidents since February 2022. “These interferences disrupt the accurate reception of GPS signals, leading to various operational challenges for aircraft and ground systems,” the authority noted.

Growing Threat of GPS Interference

GPS jamming and spoofing techniques, historically utilized by military forces to protect sensitive locations, have increasingly been employed as tools of disruption in civilian contexts, particularly by nations like Russia. European Union governments have expressed grave concerns that persistent GPS interference could lead to catastrophic air accidents by effectively blinding commercial aircraft during critical phases of flight.

Incidents of GPS jamming have surged in areas such as the Baltic Sea and eastern European nations adjacent to Russia. These disruptions have affected not only aircraft but also maritime vessels and civilians reliant on navigation services for everyday activities.

During her flight from Warsaw to Plovdiv, von der Leyen was set to meet with Bulgaria’s Prime Minister Rosen Zhelyazkov and tour a local ammunition factory. This visit was part of her broader tour of EU frontline states, aimed at discussing strategies to bolster the bloc’s defense capabilities in response to Russia’s ongoing conflict in Ukraine.

On the ground in Bulgaria, von der Leyen addressed the situation with reporters, stating, “[Russian President Vladimir] Putin has not changed, and he will not change. He is a predator. He can only be kept in check through strong deterrence.” Bulgaria has emerged as a crucial supplier of military equipment to Ukraine, initially providing Soviet-era weapons and now offering more modern artillery and defense products manufactured in the country.

Following her visit, von der Leyen departed Plovdiv on the same aircraft without further incident, but the day’s events have spotlighted the increasing risks posed by GPS interference in civilian airspace. Both the Kremlin and the European Commission have been approached for comments regarding this incident, which underscores the delicate balance of international security in the current geopolitical landscape.