Sweden has accused Russia of being behind a significant rise in instances of GPS signal jamming recorded over the Baltic Sea, raising concerns for aviation in the region. The Swedish Transport Agency (STA) stated that reports of disruptions have increased over the years, becoming almost a daily occurrence; the agency has recorded 733 incidents so far in 2025, up from just 55 throughout 2023.
Traceable to Russian territory, these jamming incidents have also affected shipping lanes. Other European nations have similarly attributed the signal disruptions to Russia, a claim that Moscow denies.
This accusation comes after an incident where a plane carrying European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen experienced interference, forcing pilots to resort to paper maps for navigation. The STA's aviation head, Andreas Holmgren, described the situation as serious and a significant safety risk for civil aviation.
The interference, which was once limited to eastern parts of Swedish airspace, has now expanded geographically and in scope, extending into Swedish land and waters. Airlines operating in the Baltic region have reported tens of thousands of GPS jamming incidents in recent years. Countries like Sweden, Estonia, Finland, Latvia, Lithuania, and Poland have collectively raised the issue with the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) council, which has expressed grave concern and demanded that Russia cease the disturbances.
Despite these demands, instances of jamming have reportedly escalated. European governments assert that such practices align with a broader Kremlin strategy to create chaos and undermine European security.
Moscow consistently refutes claims of intentional interference in commercial aviation. While there is currently no proven link connecting Russia to the increase in GPS jamming, von der Leyen’s recent flight disruptions have renewed focus on the threat posed to aviation safety. The European Commission has pledged to bolster defense capabilities in light of these ongoing issues.
Bulgaria's aviation authority noted a marked increase in GPS disruptions since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Although planes can use other navigation methods, jamming GPS mid-flight poses collision risks and can complicate pilots' responses to emergencies.
The UK's Civil Aviation Authority has minimized the significance of GPS jamming, stating that aircraft navigation systems are not solely reliant on GPS and interference typically occurs near conflict zones as a result of military activities rather than intentional acts.
The STA's current figures include incidents reported until August 28, 2025, and suggest significant underreporting as many airlines notify their respective national aviation authorities.
Traceable to Russian territory, these jamming incidents have also affected shipping lanes. Other European nations have similarly attributed the signal disruptions to Russia, a claim that Moscow denies.
This accusation comes after an incident where a plane carrying European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen experienced interference, forcing pilots to resort to paper maps for navigation. The STA's aviation head, Andreas Holmgren, described the situation as serious and a significant safety risk for civil aviation.
The interference, which was once limited to eastern parts of Swedish airspace, has now expanded geographically and in scope, extending into Swedish land and waters. Airlines operating in the Baltic region have reported tens of thousands of GPS jamming incidents in recent years. Countries like Sweden, Estonia, Finland, Latvia, Lithuania, and Poland have collectively raised the issue with the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) council, which has expressed grave concern and demanded that Russia cease the disturbances.
Despite these demands, instances of jamming have reportedly escalated. European governments assert that such practices align with a broader Kremlin strategy to create chaos and undermine European security.
Moscow consistently refutes claims of intentional interference in commercial aviation. While there is currently no proven link connecting Russia to the increase in GPS jamming, von der Leyen’s recent flight disruptions have renewed focus on the threat posed to aviation safety. The European Commission has pledged to bolster defense capabilities in light of these ongoing issues.
Bulgaria's aviation authority noted a marked increase in GPS disruptions since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Although planes can use other navigation methods, jamming GPS mid-flight poses collision risks and can complicate pilots' responses to emergencies.
The UK's Civil Aviation Authority has minimized the significance of GPS jamming, stating that aircraft navigation systems are not solely reliant on GPS and interference typically occurs near conflict zones as a result of military activities rather than intentional acts.
The STA's current figures include incidents reported until August 28, 2025, and suggest significant underreporting as many airlines notify their respective national aviation authorities.
