What sounds like the plot of a techno-thriller happened in real life to European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. While approaching Plovdiv Airport in Bulgaria, the jet carrying the EU leader suddenly lost all satellite navigation — the GPS signal went completely dark.
According to the Financial Times and confirmed by EU officials, the incident was a clear case of GPS jamming, widely suspected to be linked to Russian interference. The Kremlin, however, has denied any involvement.
Landing the old-fashioned way
The aircraft, which had departed from Warsaw, circled over Plovdiv for about an hour before the pilots decided to attempt a manual landing. With no digital guidance, the crew relied on paper charts and assistance from air traffic controllers — a reminder of how aviation used to work before satellites took over.
Fortunately, the landing was safe. But the event underscores just how vulnerable modern infrastructure is to electronic warfare tactics.
Why it matters
Reports of GPS disruptions have become increasingly frequent across Eastern Europe, but this is the first time they’ve directly affected the EU’s top official. Analysts view it as part of the broader trend of hybrid warfare, where digital and electronic tools are weaponized to send political signals.
In an era where navigation, logistics, and even daily life depend on satellite systems, the question is clear: are we ready for a future where electronic warfare is the new battlefield?
