GPS disruptions in Russia affect over 123 thousand flights in a period of four months
In recent months, a series of GPS disruptions have been reported over the Baltic region, affecting numerous flights and causing concern among aviation authorities and governments.
Between January and April 2025, approximately 123,000 aircraft flying over Baltic airspace experienced signal interference due to Russian jamming and spoofing. This interference spiked in April alone, accounting for 27.4% of flights in the region.
The source of the disruptions was traced to several locations, including Kaliningrad, St. Petersburg, Smolensk, and Rostov. The Kremlin has denied involvement, but the EU has continued to experience a notable increase in such incidents.
High-profile incidents have been reported, such as one involving a plane chartered by the European Commission, carrying its president, Ursula von der Leyen. On 31 August 2025, von der Leyen was on a tour of eastern states considered crucial by NATO and the EU as a buffer against potential Russian aggression. The specific details of this incident, including the pilots' need to circle for an hour before landing manually using paper charts (initially reported, later denied), have raised concerns about the potential risks posed by such disruptions.
The head of the Swedish Transport Agency, Andreas Holmgren, considers the situation 'serious', reporting that interference incidents have continued to rise. Similarly, Sweden's Defence Minister has stated that his government is prepared to respond to continuing threats.
Bulgarian Prime Minister Rosen Zhelyazkov initially dismissed the GPS disruption incident as routine radio disturbances, but later ordered aviation authorities to conduct a thorough investigation.
In response to the growing issue, airlines have been advised to remain on alert for further disruptions. Defence Commissioner Andrius Kubilius has announced plans to launch new low-Earth orbit satellites to strengthen resilience and mitigate the impact of jamming. EU spokesperson Paula Pinho has confirmed a significant increase in GPS jamming and spoofing since the beginning of the war in Ukraine, independent of the specific incident involving von der Leyen's flight.
Aviation authorities emphasize that aircraft and air traffic control systems have multiple backup systems in place for emergencies, such as ground-based navigation aids, inertial navigation systems, and paper charts. Despite these measures, the continued increase in GPS disruptions highlights the need for further action to ensure the safety and efficiency of air travel in the region.
