Bulgarian officials have accused Russia of interfering with GPS navigation signals used by a plane transporting Ursula von der Leyen, the president of the European Union’s executive commission. The disruption allegedly took place during von der Leyen’s visit to Lithuania, which is one of several E.U. member states near Russia that she has been touring recently. The European Union has not yet officially commented on the allegations, though officials have stated that they are investigating the incident further. This accusation comes amid heightened tensions between the E.U. and Russia, particularly following recent diplomatic and military escalations in the region.
Von der Leyen’s visit to Lithuania is part of a broader diplomatic effort to strengthen ties among E.U. member states bordering Russia. The E.U. has been intensifying its diplomatic and economic actions against Russia, especially in light of the ongoing conflict in Ukraine and the broader geopolitical tensions in Eastern Europe. While the exact impact of the GPS jamming on the flight remains unclear, the incident has raised concerns among E.U. policymakers about potential threats to international security and the integrity of communication systems.