Russia Accused of GPS Disruption During EU Leader's Bulgaria Visit

CBS/AP — The aircraft transporting European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen encountered GPS interference over Bulgaria, suspected to be initiated by Russia, as revealed by a spokesperson on Monday. The plane, landing without incident at Plovdiv Airport, allows von der Leyen to proceed with her tour of EU nations adjacent to Russia and Belarus, as detailed by Commission spokesperson Arianna Podestà.

An official statement by Podestà confirmed the GPS interference, which was substantiated by the Bulgarian authorities. These authorities suggested that overt meddling by Russia might be the cause.

The GPS jamming incident, initially reported by the Financial Times citing EU officials, necessitated the pilot to resort to traditional navigation methods to safely land von der Leyen's aircraft.

Von der Leyen, known for her strong stance against Russian President Vladimir Putin, is conducting a four-day mission across EU countries near Russia.

Podestà remarked that the occurrence highlights the critical mission focus of von der Leyen in these frontline member nations.

She also highlighted von der Leyen's direct exposure to ongoing threats posed by Russia and its affiliates.

The European Union intends to enhance investment in defense and bolster Europe's preparedness in light of this disruption, according to Podestà.

According to Bulgaria's official communication, the aircraft's GPS signal, crucial for navigation, was disrupted as it neared Plovdiv Airport.