The GPS System Of The Presidential Aircraft Of The European Commission For Disruption, Russia Is Suspected Of Being The Mastermind

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen/PHOTO via Instagram @ursulavonderleyen

JAKARTA - European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen's GPS system experienced disruption while traveling to Bulgaria on Sunday.

The plane landed safely, a EU spokesman said on Monday, September 1.

"We were able to confirm any GPS interference, but the plane landed safely in Bulgaria. We have received information from Bulgarian authorities they suspect this is due to Russian open interference," the spokesman said.

The European Union did not provide further details. But the spokesman said the incident would strengthen the bloc's commitment to increasing defense capabilities and support for Ukraine in the face of a three-and-a-half-year Russian invasion.

Last year, Estonia accused Russia of disrupting GPS navigation devices in airspace over Baltic countries. Finnair was forced to divert two flights back to Helsinki after GPS disruption blocked their approach to Tartu in eastern Estonia.

EU Defense Commissioner Andrius Kubilius said on Monday that the 27-member bloc would increase the number of satellites in low-orbit to increase detection of disruptions.

GPS interference uses frequency transmitter devices to block or interfere with radio communications, usually by emitting signals from land that are stronger than satellite signals.

When the system is compromised, the system may have to shut down during flight, which can cause stress and delays in takeoff and landing because certain procedures require GPS to function.

However, major airports have a variety of navigation tools available if GPS is not working.

In a statement, the Bulgarian government said GPS signals were missing as the von der Leyen plane approached the southern city of Plovdiv, prompting air traffic controllers to switch to ground navigation systems to ensure safe landings.

The incident with the von der Leyen plane occurred while he was on a four-day tour of EU member states bordering or located close to Russia.

"There, he has witnessed firsthand daily challenges in the form of threats coming from Russia and its proxies," said a Commission spokesman.

"EU will continue to invest in the defense budget and European readiness, even bigger after this incident," the statement continued.