Ursula von der Leyen, the new President of the European Commission, just had her first big test over the weekend. As her aircraft neared Plovdiv airport in Bulgaria, it came under attack from GPS jamming. Blame the Russians. The incident alarmed U.S. officials, as Bulgarian authorities believe that the jamming was a result of Russian interference. This news arrives at a time of increased tensions in Eastern Europe, particularly due to Russia’s continued military aggression.
As the aircraft neared its destination, the pilot unexpectedly lost the GPS signal. He ended up having to circle above the Plovdiv airport for over an hour before we were cleared to land safely. As a result of the GPS blackout, the crew had to turn to old-school paper navigational charts to find their way. Mobile phones on the plane no longer had internet access, making the situation even more complicated.
European Commission spokesperson Arianna Podestà subsequently acknowledged that von der Leyen’s plane was hit by GPS jamming. She stated, “This incident actually underlines the urgency of the mission that the President is carrying out in the frontline member states.” The emergency caused the aircraft crew to take additional precautions ensuring a safe landing. This highly incendiary situation both reflects and highlights the growing security challenges in the region.
Bulgarian authorities also recently reported an increase in GPS jamming across Eastern Europe. This problem is particularly acute above the Baltic Sea. As one official described the event, “the entire airport perimeter GPS went dark,” illustrating the seriousness of the event. Finally, the Financial Times strongly hinted that Russia was behind the interference attack. Yet this attack was aimed directly at von der Leyen’s plane.
In response to these recent advances, there is an increasing demand for accountability for Russia’s actions. Ivan Vyhivskyi stated, “We know that this crime was not accidental. There is a Russian involvement. Everyone will be held accountable before the law.” As with these cases, such incidents are often more than an inconvenience. They raise immediate safety issues. They underscore the increasing geopolitical tensions in the region.
The deteriorating security landscape unfolding before our very eyes in Eastern Europe hasn’t changed, nor leaders’ calls for us to act collectively. A source mentioned, “We anticipate a focused discussion on joint steps to adequately respond to Russia’s rejection of peace efforts and escalating terror against Ukrainians.” This feeling matches the public outcry for increased punitive action to prevent more aggression.
Ursula von der Leyen has emphasized the importance of border protection in light of these incidents, stating, “it is in the European interest that we have the protection of the border here.” She further announced proposals for more than a billion euros in funding to strengthen security infrastructure in all member states.
The GPS jamming incident illustrates the growing dangers to civil aviation and navigation from jamming and spoofing attacks. This reality is most dire in areas impacted by war and strife. It shows that even the most advanced technology can be undercut by aggressive, malignant behavior, requiring more awareness and readiness from countries all over the world.