News ‘Satellite shield’ developed EU To enhance the GPS resilience, after the incident with the Ursula von der Layen in Bulgaria, attributed to signal interference with Russia’s suspicion. The revelation of the Financial Times has upset Brussels and is preparing for a new security system.
The European Union will develop additional satellites at low orbit around the Earth to enhance the durability over interference in the GPS system and improve their detection capabilities, said today (01.09.2025) EU Defense Commissioner Andrew button. His statements were made after yesterday’s (Sunday 31.08.2025) incident, in which GPS system on the aircraft of European Commission President Ursula von der Laien has lost access to GPS navigation services while approaching Plovdiv Airport in Bulgaria.
Commission confirmation: “We are used to threats and intimidation from Russia”
‘We can indeed confirm that There was GPS signal interference, but the plane landed safely in Bulgaria. The Bulgarian authorities informed us that they are suspected that this is due to overt intervention from Russia, “he said. The Commission spokesman, Ariana Podesta.
She confirmed the post That the aircraft of European Commission President Ursula von der Laien lost access to GPS navigation services while approaching Plovdiv Airport in Bulgaria yesterday, Sunday, which is attributed to Russian actions.
As she said “We are naturally used to this kind of threats and intimidations, which are a regular element of Russia’s hostile behavior. This incident further enhances our steadfast commitment to enhance our defensive potential and support for Ukraine.
This emphasizes the urgency of the mission made by the President in the border countries these days. There he sees daily threats from Russia, “he said of von der Laienne tour in countries bordering Russia and Belarus.
As he pointed out, “the EU will continue to invest in defense spending and Europe’s readiness, even more so after this incident.”
The Revelation of Financial Times
The incident of Russian intervention aimed at the president of the Commission Ursula von der Layen has brought to light by the Financial Times. According to three officials who spoke to the newspaper, a plane carrying Ursula von der Laienne was forced to land in Plovdif, Bulgaria after the aircraft’s GPS services were disabled.
FT “saw” Russian interference, adding that aircraft landing eventually took place manually with printed mapsafter the plane circles for almost an hour.
One of them told the newspaper: “The whole GPS of the airport area fell. It was undeniable intervention. “
Von der Lien tours “First Line States” – Latvia, Finland, Estonia, Poland, Lithuania, Bulgaria and Romania – with the aim of underlining the European Union’s commitment to strengthen its defensive and military potential.
The president of the Commission arrived in Bulgaria on Sunday, where he visited a weapon plant in Sopot, along with Prime Minister Rosen Zeliazov.
“Russian President Vladimir Putin has not changed and is not going to change. It is a predator. Can only be held through strong deterrence ‘ She said in her statements from Bulgaria.
The interruption of the signal may have come from jamming or spoofing of neutralizing satellite navigation systems in the area.
GPS interference and spoofing techniques prevent aircraft from using navigation systems, such as US GPS or European Galileo, or alter the location data they receive.
The phenomenon is increasingly used to disrupt political or military operations.
The case, of course, caused an alarm in Brussels as fears of Russian activity on European territory are reinforced.
Ursula von der Layen departed from Plovdif with the same plane without problems after the visit.