GPS jamming on Ursula von der Leyen plane was reported during her landing in Bulgaria on Sunday, raising immediate concerns for aviation safety and regional security. European Commission officials confirmed the interference as her aircraft approached Plovdiv International Airport. Bulgarian authorities suspect Russian involvement, though the Kremlin has denied any responsibility.
According to Arianna Podesta, Deputy Chief Spokesperson for the European Commission, the disruption occurred during a critical Eastern European tour by the Commission President. The trip includes visits to nations bordering Russia, Belarus, and the Black Sea and is meant to strengthen European unity and support for Ukraine as the war drags into its third year. Despite the navigation failure, the aircraft landed safely, but a source familiar with the incident revealed that pilots were forced to rely on paper maps after GPS systems went down.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov rejected the accusations, telling the Financial Times that the information was incorrect. The Commission, however, took a different stance. Podesta described the interference as a stark reminder of ongoing hybrid warfare, warning that EU frontline states live with these risks on a daily basis.
Von der Leyen has remained one of Ukraine’s strongest advocates, repeatedly urging member states to commit greater military and financial support. Her recent travel schedule has included Latvia, Finland, Estonia, Poland, and Bulgaria, with additional visits to Lithuania and Romania planned. Shortly after the aircraft landed, and before news of the jamming was released, she once again underlined the need for firm deterrence against Moscow, stating that Putin will not change and can only be checked through strength.
The incident fits a wider pattern of GPS disruptions tied to Russian-linked operations across Europe. Studies from research teams in Germany and Poland have documented repeated signal interference traced to Kaliningrad and to ships operating in both the Baltic and Black Seas. The European Union has already sanctioned individuals and organizations found to be connected with such activity.
What unfolded in Bulgarian airspace now serves as a new warning for Europe. Aviation safety, digital infrastructure, and the ability to respond quickly to hybrid attacks have become critical elements of security policy. The disruption that targeted the European Commission President underscores just how vulnerable essential systems remain in a time of heightened geopolitical tension.
