What Happened
On Sunday, August 31, 2025, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen plane encountered a loss of GPS navigation capabilities as it approached Plovdiv Airport in Bulgaria. Bulgarian authorities reported that the aircraft experienced GPS jamming, which is believed to be a deliberate interference suspected to be carried out by Russia (AP News, The Guardian, WRAL.com).
The incident disrupted electronic guidance systems, forcing the pilots to rely on paper maps and terrestrial navigation aids. Despite the navigational impairment, the plane landed safely (WRAL.com, AP News, The Independent, ABC).
Context & Background
Why It Matters
Ursula von der Leyen was on a tour of EU member states along the eastern frontier countries neighboring Russia, Belarus, and the Black Sea aimed at reinforcing regional solidarity and demonstrating support for Ukraine (WRAL.com, The Economic Times).
A spokesperson for the European Commission highlighted that this incident only underscores the strategic urgency of ramping up defense capabilities across the EU (The Guardian, Reuters, WRAL.com).
Rising Threat of GPS Jamming in Eastern Europe
This isn’t an isolated case. GPS interference in Eastern Europe often blamed on Russia has surged significantly in recent years:
- Poland recorded 2,732 electronic interference cases in January 2025, up from 1,908 in October 2023.
- Lithuania saw an increase to 1,185 cases in the same month, compared to 556 in March 2024 (The Guardian).
Such disruptions range from jamming to spoofing, in which false navigational information is transmitted, potentially misleading aircraft or ships (Globedge)
What Is GPS Jamming?
GPS jamming is a volatile form of electronic warfare, where powerful signals are used to drown out satellite navigation transmissions, preventing receivers (like those in aircraft) from determining accurate location or time (Wikipedia).
Russia is known to possess advanced systems capable of such interference, such as:
- The R-330Zh “Zhitel” system, a truck-mounted jammer that targets GPS, satellite communications, and cellular networks (Wikipedia).
- Other tools like Borisoglebsk-2 and Krasukha are known for GPS spoofing, adding another layer of navigational threat (Wikipedia).
EU’s Response & Forward Strategy
Immediate Reaction
EU Commission spokesperson Arianna Podestà stated: “We can indeed confirm that there was GPS jamming… suspected to be due to blatant interference by Russia.” She stressed that the incident will only strengthen the EU’s resolve to boost defense readiness (The Guardian, Reuters, WRAL.com, AP News).
Long-Term Measures
In response, the EU plans to deploy additional satellites in low Earth orbit to make its positional systems more resilient and to mitigate future jamming attempts (Reuters).
Summary Table
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Incident date | August 31, 2025 |
| Location | Bulgaria, approaching Plovdiv Airport |
| Target | Aircraft carrying Ursula von der Leyen |
| Issue | GPS jamming loss of satellite-based navigation |
| Cause (suspected) | Russian interference |
| Result | Safe landing using paper maps |
| Strategic context | Amidst von der Leyen’s visit to eastern EU states to support Ukraine |
| Wider trend | Increasing electronic interference in Eastern Europe |
| EU response | Urgent defense ramp up; satellite deployment to counter jamming |
Broader Implications
This incident is emblematic of the rising hybrid warfare threats faced by civilian aviation in Eastern Europe. It demonstrates how modern conflicts increasingly exploit electronic vulnerabilities even outside active combat zones posing serious risks to safety and sovereignty.
The EU’s decision to boost its satellite resilience signifies a strategic shift toward safeguarding critical infrastructure against such emerging threats.
Conclusion
In summary, on August 31, 2025, the plane carrying European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen experienced GPS jamming, suspected to be a deliberate Russian operation. Pilots resorted to paper navigation and managed a safe landing in Bulgaria. The event came during a tour of EU frontier states aimed at supporting Ukraine and underlined the pressing need for improved regional defense and navigational resilience. The EU has responded by accelerating plans to fortify its satellite infrastructure and mitigate future threats.
