Suspected Russian Interference in GPS Jamming Incident on EU Chief's Plane
The aircraft carrying the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, experienced GPS signal interference during its landing in Bulgaria, prompting suspicions of Russian involvement. The plane was forced to land using paper maps in an incident confirmed by both the European Commission and the Bulgarian Air Traffic Service Authority.
Background and Context
According to multiple sources including Folha de S.Paulo, BBC News, and Ukrinform, the EU Commission President's plane faced GPS navigation disruption on Sunday. The incident occurred as the airplane, headed for Plovdiv airport in Bulgaria, was preparing to land. The plane was forced to rely on paper maps for the landing procedure, as reported by ANSA and Sky News World.
Key Developments
Upon investigation, the Bulgarian Air Traffic Service Authority noted a significant increase in cases of GPS jamming and identity theft, as reported by Le Monde. The authority suspects Russia to be the source of the interference, a sentiment echoed by several European officials. However, as per TASS, the Kremlin has denied any involvement in the incident, terming the information as 'incorrect'.
The New York Times and The Guardian highlighted that the plane, carrying von der Leyen, was circling the airport for an hour due to the jamming incident. The EU Chief was on her way to visit an arms factory in Bulgaria, which has been supplying weapons to Ukraine, as reported by Balkan Insight.
Reactions and Implications
The incident has raised concerns over the security of GPS systems. The South China Morning Post reported that while suspicions point to Russia, it is unclear whether the interference was specifically targeted at von der Leyen's flight. The European Commission has confirmed the GPS jamming but has not directly accused Russia.
The Kyiv Independent and Fox News cited sources stating that the occurrence has underscored the urgency of the EU's mission in states bordering Russia and Belarus. The EU is expected to invest more in defense spending and readiness in the wake of such incidents, as per the European Commission spokeswoman, Arianna Podestà.
Sky News World noted that Bulgaria authorities suspect Russia of the jamming, and such instances are expected to escalate. This incident also follows reports from the head of German Defense who also experienced GPS interference on his aircraft, as pointed out by ANSA.
Current Status
The GPS jamming incident involving the aircraft of EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen remains under investigation. With the Bulgarian authorities suspecting Russian interference and the Kremlin denying any involvement, the situation is yet to be fully resolved. Meanwhile, the EU has expressed its intent to bolster its defense readiness in light of such incidents.