By Franklin Okeke,
published by Computing, 2 September 2025
Brussels accelerates satellite security plans after suspected Russian interference
The European Union plans to deploy more satellites in low Earth orbit to shore up its ability to detect GPS interference of the type exhibited on the attack on EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen’s flight at the weekend.
The European Union plans to deploy more satellites in low Earth orbit to shore up its ability to detect GPS interference, EU Defence Commissioner Andrius Kubilius said on Monday.
The announcement comes in direct response to an incident that targeted European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, who was en route to Bulgaria on Sunday. Citing unnamed officials, the Financial Times reported that the pilots had to resort to paper maps before making a safe landing at Plovdiv Airport.
The Commission said the new capability would be central to defending both military and civilian transport. Officials added that space-based systems have become an essential part of Europe’s security architecture and expanding them would ensure continuity of service in the event of future attacks.
EU points finger at Russia for GPS jamming
According to an EU spokesperson who spoke with Sky News on Monday, Bulgarian authorities suspect Russia was responsible for the GPS jamming incident.
“We have received information from Bulgarian authorities that they suspect this blatant interference was carried out by Russia. We are well aware that threats and intimidation are a regular component of Russia’s hostile actions,” the spokesperson said.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov has denied claims of Russian involvement in the incident. “Your information is incorrect,” Peskov told FT.
Moscow has repeatedly been accused by Baltic states and Western officials of orchestrating similar disruptions. The RAF plane carrying the UK’s then-Defence Secretary Grant Shapps in March 2024 was subject to a GPS jamming incident near Russian territory, Kaliningrad.
These incidents are part of a much broader pattern affecting navigation in recent years in the Baltic region and come amid the ongoing tensions between Russia and European institutions over the conflict in Ukraine.
Von der Leyen was in Bulgaria as part of a tour of eastern member states aimed at reinforcing solidarity in the face of heightened regional tensions.
See: Original Article
