The aircraft carrying European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen experienced interference with its Global Positioning System (GPS) while en route to Bulgaria on Sunday, according to confirmation from a European Union spokesperson on Monday. The spokesperson validated earlier media reports, noting that the interference occurred during the plane’s approach to the airport. Despite this, the plane managed to land safely at a Bulgarian airport. Bulgarian authorities later informed the Commission that they suspected the incident was a result of what they described as “blatant interference” by Russia, Reuters reported.
The EU spokesperson elaborated that while the GPS system was jammed, the plane still completed its journey without incident. However, because of the interference, the aircraft was unable to rely on its electronic navigational systems as it prepared to land in Plovdiv, Bulgaria. Instead, alternative procedures were followed to ensure a safe arrival.
Following her landing, Commission President von der Leyen proceeded with her scheduled visit to Bulgaria. She toured an arms manufacturing facility in Sopot, accompanied by Bulgarian Prime Minister Rossen Jeliazkov. This visit formed part of her broader diplomatic mission across several Eastern European Union member states.
In response to the incident, the European Union has formally launched an investigation to determine the source and nature of the interference. Reuters, citing a report from the Financial Times, added that the disruption was suspected to be the result of a Russian interference attack, which disabled GPS navigation systems at the Bulgarian airport. As a result, the plane carrying von der Leyen had to rely on traditional paper maps to guide its descent and landing at Plovdiv on Sunday.
