GPS Interference Targeted Plane Carrying EU Commission President von der Leyen During Bulgaria Visit
Plovdiv, Bulgaria – The aircraft transporting European Commission (EC) President Ursula von der leyen experienced significant GPS disruption while approaching Plovdiv Airport on Sunday, prompting the pilot to rely on manual controls and paper maps for landing. The incident is being investigated as a deliberate act of interference, with three informed officials confirming to the Financial Times that it is considered a Russian intervention operation.
According to sources, GPS signals were unavailable throughout the vicinity of Plovdiv Airport. The pilot was forced to circle the airport for approximately one hour before successfully landing the plane using traditional navigational methods. “It was an indisputable intervention,” one official stated.
The Bulgarian Air Traffic Dispatch Service confirmed the occurrence of the disruption to the Financial Times, noting a pattern of increasing interference. “As February 2022, we have seriously observed [GPS] damping cases, but lately, signal counterfeiting,” a statement from the service read.
An EC spokesperson acknowledged the potential threat, stating, “We are well aware that threats and intimidation are part of the ordinary Russian hostile action. This will further strengthen our unshakable commitment to increase our defense capabilities and support Ukraine.”
President von der Leyen had travelled from Warsaw to plovdiv to meet with Bulgarian Prime Minister Rosen Gelyazkov and tour an ammunition plant. She departed Plovdiv on the same aircraft following the visit.
The incident raises concerns about the vulnerability of civilian air travel to deliberate GPS interference and highlights escalating tensions in the region.
