Von der Leyen's plane hit by suspected Russian GPS jamming over Bulgaria
European Commission says satellite navigation was disrupted as the aircraft approached Plovdiv; Bulgarian authorities suspect Russian interference and the plane landed safely
A plane carrying European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen experienced GPS interference suspected to be the result of Russian jamming while approaching Plovdiv Airport in southern Bulgaria, the Commission and Bulgarian authorities said Monday. The aircraft landed safely and von der Leyen will continue her planned tour of European Union countries bordering Russia and Belarus.
European Commission deputy chief spokesperson Arianna Podestà said the Commission had "received information from the Bulgarian authorities that they suspect that this was due to blatant interference by Russia." Podestà confirmed the incident amounted to "GPS jamming" and said it would only reinforce the EU's "unshakable commitment to ramp up defence capabilities and support for Ukraine." Bulgarian officials said the satellite signal transmitting information to the plane's GPS navigation system was neutralised as the aircraft approached Plovdiv, and that air traffic control immediately offered an alternative landing method using ground-based navigation.
According to media reports citing unnamed officials, pilots completed the landing using paper charts and terrestrial navigation aids after the satellite signal was lost. The Commission said von der Leyen and other passengers were not harmed and that normal procedures to secure the flight were followed. Bulgarian authorities began an investigation and have shared their findings with EU partners, the Commission said.
The incident occurred as von der Leyen is on a multi-day visit to EU states that border Russia and Belarus. The trip is intended to assess regional security and reinforce support for Ukraine amid Moscow's continuing invasion that began in 2022. Podestà said the episode underscored the urgency of the president's mission in front-line member states and argued it highlighted the need for increased European defence readiness.
The Russian government did not immediately reply to requests for comment. EU officials described the episode as part of a pattern of "threats and intimidation" by Russia, language the Commission has used in the past to characterise Moscow's actions since the outbreak of the Ukraine war.
European capitals have in recent years raised concerns about the misuse of electronic and navigation signals near conflict zones and sensitive airspace. Military and civilian authorities regard deliberate GPS jamming as a serious hazard because modern aircraft and air traffic control systems increasingly rely on satellite-based navigation. Ground-based alternatives and conventional navigation charts remain part of standard redundancy and contingency procedures for flight crews.
Von der Leyen, a prominent backer of stepped-up EU military and financial support for Kyiv, visited countries on the bloc's eastern flank this week to discuss security measures and aid coordination. The Commission said her itinerary will continue as planned and that the incident will further inform ongoing discussions on boosting Europe's defence capabilities.
Bulgarian officials said their investigation is continuing and that they have informed relevant NATO and EU bodies. The European Commission said it will work with member states and partners to assess the technical details of the disruption and consider measures to protect civilian aviation and critical infrastructure from electronic interference.