A plane carrying European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen was subjected to GPS jamming during its approach to Plovdiv International Airport in Bulgaria on Sunday, in what officials are calling a suspected act of Russian electronic interference.

According to the European Commission, the aircraft was forced to switch to manual navigation using paper maps after its GPS systems were disrupted during the descent. Despite the interference, the plane landed safely, and no injuries were reported.

Russia Denies Involvement

Bulgarian authorities are reportedly investigating Russia as the likely source of the jamming. However, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov denied any involvement, telling the Financial Times: “Your information is incorrect.”

Part of a Larger Pattern

The incident occurred while von der Leyen was on a high-stakes diplomatic tour of Eastern European countries bordering Russia, Belarus, and the Black Sea. The mission aims to reinforce EU unity and strengthen support for Ukraine as the war nears its third year.

Arianna Podestà, Deputy Chief Spokesperson for the European Commission, confirmed the GPS disruption and called it a stark reminder of Russia’s hybrid warfare tactics:

“This incident underlines the urgency of the president’s current trip to frontline Member States, where she has seen first-hand the everyday threats from Russia and its proxies.”

Von der Leyen: “Putin Is a Predator”

Speaking shortly after landing—before the GPS jamming was made public—von der Leyen reiterated the need for a robust European defense posture:

“Putin has not changed, and he will not change. He is a predator. He can only be kept in check through strong deterrence.”

Von der Leyen has remained one of Ukraine’s most vocal allies in Brussels, repeatedly calling on EU nations to increase military and financial aid to Kyiv. Her current itinerary includes stops in Latvia, Finland, Estonia, Poland, Bulgaria, and upcoming visits to Lithuania and Romania.

Growing Concerns Over Russian GPS Interference

This is not the first incident of its kind. Analysts and defense experts have increasingly warned about Russian GPS jamming activity across Eastern and Northern Europe — particularly near the Baltic region and the Black Sea.

Studies by research institutions in Poland and Germany have traced previous jamming events to Russian state-linked operators in Kaliningrad and maritime vessels in what has been dubbed a “shadow fleet.” In response, the EU has imposed sanctions on several individuals and entities believed to be behind these operations.