In a startling incident over Bulgarian airspace, Russia is suspected of jamming the GPS signal of a plane carrying Ursula von der Leyen, the President of the European Commission, causing it to circle an airport for an hour before landing.

The mishap occurred on Sunday during von der Leyen's flight to Plovdiv, where she was headed for a series of meetings with EU member states along the bloc's eastern border. Reports indicate that the plane lost its satellite navigation, leading to significant delays in arrival.

Arianna Podestà, deputy spokesperson for the Commission, confirmed the incident and stated, “We received alarming information from Bulgarian authorities, suggesting this was a blatant interference orchestrated by Russia. This type of hostile behavior has long been a typical aspect of Russia’s tactics.”

The situation raises concerns as interference with satellite navigation is becoming alarmingly common near Russian airspace. When questioned about whether von der Leyen was specifically targeted, Podestà remarked, “That’s a question best directed at the Russians themselves.”

Major airports are equipped with alternative navigation methods, such as radio navigation, which helps pilots safely land without GPS.

The incident was first detailed by the Financial Times, revealing that von der Leyen's aircraft circled Plovdiv airport for a full hour. Although she did not address the issue during her subsequent meetings in Vilnius, she did highlight the ongoing military threats faced by Lithuania.

She stated, “As Lithuania faces challenges, all of Europe is being tested.” Podestà emphasized that such interruptions only strengthen the EU's resolve to bolster its defense capabilities and continue support for Ukraine.

This isn’t the first such incident attributed to Russia. In March 2024, Grant Shapps, the then UK Secretary of Defence, also experienced GPS jamming while flying near Kaliningrad. Although it remains unverified whether he was the intended target, such actions have been linked to an uptick in electronic warfare tactics since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

In recent months, European nations have sounded alarms over increased jamming and spoofing threats impacting air and maritime travel. An internal EU report highlights that these disruptions are not random but part of a systematic strategy by Russia and Belarus.

In response to these challenges, the EU has sanctioned several companies involved in GPS disruption and is actively working on an aviation-specific strategy to tackle jamming.

In a chilling turn of events, the Ukrainian police have also reported Russian involvement in the assassination of Andriy Parubiy, a prominent anti-Russia activist, who was shot dead in Lviv over the weekend.

The tension escalates as Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that the “dreadful murder” has grave implications for security in a nation already embroiled in conflict.

Meanwhile, hopes for a ceasefire remain dim. A looming deadline set by US President Trump for Russia to end its aggression is approaching, and diplomatic tensions are heightening, with French President Macron accusing Putin of trying to manipulate the situation.

As Zelenskyy prepares to engage with European leaders in Paris, the global community watches closely, questioning how many nations will stand ready to send reinforcements to aid Ukraine in its fight against ongoing aggression.