A plane carrying European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen was reportedly subjected to Ursula von der Leyen plane jamming while attempting to land in Bulgaria. Authorities suspect Russian interference, raising new concerns about aviation safety and Europe’s ongoing standoff with Moscow. The aircraft landed safely despite the disruption, but the incident underscores growing tensions between the European Union and Russia.
Incident in Bulgaria
The disruption occurred as von der Leyen’s plane was preparing to land at Plovdiv International Airport in southern Bulgaria. Pilots had to rely on paper maps after the plane’s GPS system was compromised. Bulgarian authorities immediately launched an investigation, suspecting that Russia was behind the interference.
Moscow rejected the claims, with Russian officials labeling the accusations as “paranoia.” Russia has frequently been accused of electronic warfare tactics, including GPS jamming in the Baltic and Scandinavian regions, but continues to deny responsibility.
Von der Leyen has been one of the strongest advocates for Ukraine within the European Union. Her trip to Bulgaria was part of a broader tour across frontline EU states, including Latvia, Finland, Estonia, Poland, Lithuania, and Romania. The goal of the tour was to rally support for Ukraine and reinforce EU unity against Russian aggression.
Pattern of GPS Interference in Europe
GPS jamming incidents have been documented across Eastern and Northern Europe:
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Baltic and Scandinavian states have repeatedly warned about Russian electronic disruptions.
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A six-month study by researchers in Poland and Germany concluded that Russia used ships and its Kaliningrad base to carry out GPS interference.
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The European Union has already sanctioned Russian-linked entities accused of being behind such actions.
European Response and Security Concerns
European officials view the incident as part of a broader strategy by Russia to undermine regional stability. “This underlines the urgency of enhancing Europe’s defense capabilities and maintaining strong support for Ukraine,” one EU spokesperson stated.
Von der Leyen echoed this sentiment, warning that Russian President Vladimir Putin “is a predator” who must be checked through strong deterrence.
The Ursula von der Leyen plane jamming incident highlights the increasing risks posed by Russian electronic warfare. While the European Commission president’s plane landed safely, the event serves as a stark reminder of the vulnerabilities faced by European leaders traveling near conflict zones. It also reinforces the EU’s determination to strengthen its defense, maintain unity, and continue its support for Ukraine in the face of ongoing Russian aggression.
