NATO and EU Respond to Russia’s GPS Jamming Threats Now

UPDATE: NATO and EU officials are urgently addressing reported GPS jamming incidents linked to Russia, raising alarms over the safety of civilian flights across Europe. This comes after a plane carrying European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen encountered GPS disruptions, forcing an emergency landing in Bulgaria on Sunday.

The European Commission confirmed GPS jamming occurred, with a spokesperson stating, “

We can confirm there was GPS jamming, but the plane landed safely in Bulgaria. Bulgarian authorities suspect this was due to blatant interference by Russia.

” However, just three days later, Bulgarian officials reversed course, asserting there is “no evidence” of prolonged interference.

Despite these conflicting reports, NATO’s Secretary General Mark Rutte declared a “direct threat from the Russians,” emphasizing that all European nations are vulnerable. “We are all on the eastern flank now, whether you live in London or Tallinn,” he stated.

Recent data reveals a dramatic rise in GPS interference incidents across Europe, particularly since the onset of the war in Ukraine. Reports indicate that Lithuania experienced over 1,000 cases of GPS jamming in June 2025 alone, a staggering 22 times higher than the same month in 2024. In Estonia, 85% of flights were impacted, and Poland recorded 2,732 cases of jamming and spoofing in January 2025.

Experts are now investigating whether these attacks are cyber-related or involve traditional electronic warfare. John Hardie, deputy director of the Russia Programme at the Foundation for Defence of Democracies, emphasized the likelihood of Russian capabilities being involved, stating, “certainly something like this is right up their alley.”

Hardie also noted the potential for local actors within the EU to assist in these jamming efforts, mirroring tactics previously employed by Russian intelligence services. If true, this would signify a troubling escalation in Russia’s hybrid warfare strategy against Europe.

The International Institute for Strategic Studies reported that Russian sabotage operations in Europe nearly quadrupled from 2023 to 2024. Their findings highlight a worrying trend in attacks targeting critical infrastructure, with European officials struggling to counter these growing threats effectively.

While no civilian casualties have been directly linked to these operations thus far, the IISS warned that the absence of mass casualties does not indicate a lack of intent. The strategy appears designed to intimidate and disrupt European governments, carefully calibrated to avoid overt military confrontations.

In response to these escalating threats, EU Commissioner for Defence and Space Andrius Kubilius announced plans to deploy additional satellites in low Earth orbit to enhance defenses against GPS interference. Until these measures are in place, pilots are being trained to navigate using alternative methods in the event of jamming incidents.

As tensions mount, Rutte cautioned that the threat from Russia is increasing daily, with advanced missile technology capable of reaching key European cities in as little as five to ten minutes. “We are working day and night to counter this, to prevent it, and to make sure that they will not do it again,” he assured.

The situation remains fluid, with NATO and EU leaders actively seeking ways to protect air travel and counter Russian aggression. As authorities continue their investigations, the urgency to bolster defenses against hybrid warfare tactics has never been clearer.

Stay tuned for more updates on this developing story.