Von der Leyen Plane Suffers Suspected Russian GPS Jamming Over Bulgaria

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen's plane experienced GPS jamming while approaching Plovdiv airport in Bulgaria, with Russia widely suspected of causing the disruption. Despite the interference, the plane landed safely using backup navigation methods, including reportedly paper maps. The European Commission confirmed the incident and linked it to ongoing Russian hybrid attacks and electronic meddling targeting EU border states, emphasizing the urgency of reinforcing the EU's defense capabilities and support for Ukraine. Russian officials, including Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov, have denied involvement in the GPS disruption, though Bulgarian authorities and EU representatives remain skeptical of these denials. This incident is part of a broader pattern of suspected Russian electronic interference affecting aviation and navigation in countries near Russia, such as the Baltic states and Finland. Western officials condemn these actions as reckless, highlighting the increasing challenges posed by Russia's hybrid warfare tactics against Europe.