site.btaUPDATED European Commission Spokesperson: "Blatant Interference by Russia Suspected with von der Leyen Flight"

The European Commission (EC) has received information from the Bulgarian authorities that they suspect that a possible GPS incident with the airplane that carried EC President Ursula von der Leyen during her trip to Bulgaria was due to blatant interference by Russia, Commission Deputy Chief Spokesperson Arianna Podesta said at a press conference here on Monday.

"We can indeed confirm that there was GPS jamming, but the plane landed safely in Bulgaria," Podesta added. "We are, of course, aware and used to somehow to the threats and intimidations that are regular, that are regular component of Russia's hostile behavior. Of course this will only, reinforce even further our unshakable commitment to ramp up defense capabilities and support for Ukraine," the European Commission Spokesperson pointed out.

Asked by a correspondent of Japanese TV NHK whether the Bulgarian authorities had "already provided you with some concrete hints or proof" of "why they are concretely suspecting Russia of being involved in this specific disturbance", Podesta answered: "This is a question best addressed to Bulgarian authorities. All I could do is refer to their suspicion on this incident. Of course, it is for them to investigate. It was on their territory that it occurred." "It is for the Bulgarian authorities to confirm, and it is for them to investigate what happened," she added.

Earlier on Monday, Bulgaria's Government Information Service said that when approaching Plovdiv Airport (South Central Bulgaria) on Sunday, the flight carrying the European Commission President lost the satellite GPS signal to its navigation system. In order to ensure the safety of the flight, the Bulgarian Air Traffic Services Authority immediately proposed an alternative landing method using ground-based navigation aids (instrument landing).