EU suspects Russia jammed von der Leyens plane GPS system

STORY: :: The EU suspects Russia jammed the GPS system of a plane Ursula von der Leyen was touring on

:: Arianna Podesta, Spokesperson, EU Commission

“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. We are, of course, aware and used to the threats and intimidations that are a regular component of Russia’s hostile behavior. Of course, this will only reinforce even further our unshakeable commitment to ramp up defense capabilities and support for Ukraine. This incident actually underlines the urgency of the mission that the president is carrying out in the frontline member states these days. There she has seen firsthand the everyday challenges of threats coming from Russia and its proxies. And of course, the EU will continue to invest in defense spending and in Europe’s readiness even more after this incident.”

:: August 31, 2025

:: September 1, 2025

:: Brussels, Belgium

According to the EU Commission, the airplane was unable to use digital navigational aids as a consequence of the interference while approaching the airport at Plovdiv, Bulgaria.

EU spokesperson, Arianna Podesta, said that Bulgarian authorities suspect this “blatant interference was carried out by Russia” and added that the EU will additional look into the incident.

After safely touchdown in Bulgaria, von der Leyen visited an arms producer in Sopot, accompanied by Prime Minister Rossen Jeliazkov, as half of a tour of nations in East European Union.