Bulgaria Denies Russian GPS Jamming of von der Leyen Plane

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen's plane experienced GPS navigation issues while approaching Plovdiv Airport in Bulgaria, initially sparking claims of a deliberate Russian electronic attack. Early reports from the European Commission and some media suggested Russia was responsible for targeted jamming that forced the aircraft to rely on alternative navigation methods. However, Bulgarian government officials, including Prime Minister Rosen Zhelyazkov and Deputy Prime Minister Grozdan Karadjov, have denied any evidence of prolonged GPS interference or Russian involvement, describing the disruption as minor and typical of urban areas. Flight data analysis confirmed only a brief delay and consistent high-quality GPS signals, contradicting earlier claims of extensive circling and reliance on paper maps. Investigations continue to explore the root causes, including the possibility of onboard issues or spoofing, amid ongoing concerns about electronic disruptions in Eastern Europe since the Russia-Ukraine conflict began. The conflicting statements have created uncertainty in Brussels regarding the true nature of the incident.