'Blatant interference by Russia': EU chief's plane hit by GPS jamming; lands safely in Bulgaria

The European Union on Monday said that a plane carrying EU chief Ursula von der Leyen was hit by suspected Russian GPS jamming while preparing to land in Bulgaria on Sunday.

The Bulgarian authorities suspected that the disruption "was due to blatant interference" from Moscow but it was unclear if the chartered flight was deliberately targeted.

Speaking to reporters in Brussels, European Commission spokeswoman Arianna Podesta said, "We can indeed confirm that there was GPS jamming, but the plane landed safely in Bulgaria."

"We have received information from the Bulgarian authorities that they suspect that this was due to blatant interference by Russia," Podesta added



The aircraft carrying von der Leyen, 66, landed safely at Plovdiv International Airport without changing its route.

The EU chief was visiting Bulgaria as part of a tour of seven "frontline" EU states on the bloc’s eastern flank, which remain highly vulnerable to "Russian hybrid threats."

The region has seen frequent "jamming and spoofing activities," the Commission noted, adding that sanctions have already been imposed on several companies believed to be involved, AFP reported.

Confirming the incident, the Bulgarian government said, "During the flight carrying European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen to Plovdiv, the satellite signal transmitting information to the plane's GPS navigation system was neutralised."

"To ensure the flight's safety, air control services immediately offered an alternative landing method using terrestrial navigation tools," it added.