European Union blames Russia for plane GPS jamming over Bulgaria

Updated 
Diane Duenez, Craig Nigrelli
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen's plane landed safely after Russia allegedly jammed its GPS signal over Bulgaria.
Image credit: BULGARIAN GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICE
This recording was made using enhanced software.

Summary

GPS jamming incident over Bulgaria

A plane carrying European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen experienced GPS jamming while flying over Bulgaria, in what EU officials suspect was a Russian operation.

Safe landing and continued itinerary

Despite the disruption, the aircraft landed safely at Plovdiv Airport using ground-based navigation, and von der Leyen will proceed with her planned tour of EU nations bordering Russia and Belarus.

EU response and commitment

EU officials condemned the incident, attributing it to Russia’s hostile behavior, and reiterated their strong commitment to strengthening defense capabilities and supporting Ukraine.

A plane carrying European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen was subjected to GPS jamming over Bulgaria in what European Union officials suspect was a Russian operation, a spokesperson said Monday. The aircraft landed safely at Plovdiv Airport in Bulgaria.

Bulgaria’s government reported that “the satellite signal used for the aircraft’s GPS navigation was disrupted. As the aircraft approached Plovdiv Airport, the GPS signal was lost.”

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Civil aviation authorities directed the plane to land using ground-based navigation systems.

EU officials blamed Russia for interfering with the radar of von der Leyen’s aircraft. 

“We can indeed confirm that there was GPS jamming, but the plane landed safely in Bulgaria,” Arianna Podestà, spokesperson for the European Commission, said.

“We are, of course, aware and used to the threats and intimidations that are a regular component of Russia’s hostile behavior,” Podestà added. “Of course, this will only reinforce even further our unshakeable commitment to ramp up defense capabilities and support for Ukraine.”

Von der Leyen’s visit is part of a tour of EU nations bordering Russia and Belarus. She is expected to continue her planned itinerary.

Diane Duenez
Diane Duenez
Diane Duenez is the weekend managing editor at Straight Arrow. With over 30 years of experience in journalism, Diane has done just about it all. Her accolades include two Emmy awards, Missouri Broadcaster awards, a national NPPA award and the prestigious National Edward R. Murrow award.
Craig Nigrelli
Craig Nigrelli
Craig Nigrelli is an anchor and reporter for Straight Arrow. As the face of Unbiased Updates and Media Miss Minute, he delivers concise, impartial, fact‑based context grounded in 35 years of reporting and anchoring across major U.S. markets.
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Why this story matters

Alleged Russian GPS jamming of a plane carrying European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen highlights growing concerns over electronic interference in European airspace, raising questions about aviation safety and geopolitical tensions on the EU's eastern borders.

Aviation security

The incident demonstrates the vulnerability of air navigation systems to electronic interference, bringing attention to the need for reliable and resilient aviation safety protocols in Europe.

Hybrid threats

Suspected use of GPS jamming, attributed by European authorities to Russia, underscores evolving hybrid tactics that combine conventional, electronic and cyber measures to disrupt or intimidate, affecting both governmental and civilian operations.

Geopolitical tensions

The event occurs amid heightened EU-Russia tensions and ongoing conflict in Ukraine, illustrating increased risks for border states and consequences for Europe's defense policies and international relations.

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Behind the numbers

Several articles mention that since February 2022, there has been an increase in GPS jamming and spoofing incidents, with some sources citing nearly 80 similar disruptions in Europe affecting both civilian and official air traffic.

Context corner

Jamming and spoofing are techniques used in electronic warfare to disrupt satellite navigation systems. These tactics have increased in Eastern Europe sinceRussia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine, affecting military and civilian aviation, as well as maritime navigation.

Global impact

Incidents like these add urgency to NATO and EU discussions on regional security, as repeated disruptions to GPS navigation systems can impact civilian and military aviation, shipping and broader international relations with Russia.

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Fear No Fact.™

Don't just take our word for it.

Center-rated reporting

According to media bias experts at AllSides

AllSides Center-rated reporting May 2026

Transparent and credible

Awarded a perfect reliability rating from NewsGuard

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Sources

  1. CBS News
  2. The Associated Press

Bias comparison

  • Media outlets on the left emphasize Russia’s GPS jamming as a clear display of hostile, repeated hybrid threats, highlighting EU sanctions and urgent calls to bolster defense and support for Ukraine, employing terms like “hostile behaviour” to cast Moscow negatively.
  • Not enough unique coverage from media outlets in the center to provide a bias comparison.
  • Media outlets on the right focus on the operational impact—such as the pilot’s hour-long circling—and contextualizes the event within broader security concerns, portraying Putin as a “predator” and validating von der Leyen’s skeptical stance toward diplomacy.

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Media landscape

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Key points from the Left

  • A plane carrying European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen experienced GPS jamming on approach to Bulgaria, with Russia suspected to be involved.
  • Bulgarian authorities stated that the aircraft's GPS signal was lost but confirmed that it landed safely at Plovdiv International Airport using alternative navigation methods.
  • Arianna Podesta, a European Commission spokesperson, confirmed the GPS jamming incident and noted it highlighted urgent threats from Russia.
  • The EU has previously sanctioned individuals and companies responsible for GPS jamming and is preparing an action plan to address these hybrid threats.

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Key points from the Center

No summary available because of a lack of coverage.

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Key points from the Right

  • A plane carrying European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen experienced GPS jamming while flying over Bulgaria, as confirmed by Commission spokesperson Arianna Podesta.
  • Despite the jamming, von der Leyen's plane landed safely at Plovdiv airport, using paper maps for navigation.
  • Officials suspect Russian interference as the cause of the GPS jamming incident.
  • This incident occurs during von der Leyen's tour of EU nations bordering Russia and Belarus, aimed at rallying support for Ukraine amid heightened tensions.

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Sources

  1. CBS News
  2. The Associated Press