Russia has denied involvement in the GPS navigation failure experienced by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen's plane while attempting to land in Bulgaria. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov stated, "Your information is incorrect," in a response to allegations reported by various media outlets.

The incident occurred as von der Leyen's aircraft approached Plovdiv Airport. According to Arianna Podesta, deputy chief spokesperson for the European Commission, the plane encountered GPS jamming but landed safely. Podesta confirmed that the aircraft had to rely on paper maps for navigation due to the disruption. "We can indeed confirm that there was GPS jamming," she said.

Bulgarian authorities suspect that the interference was a deliberate act by Russia. The Bulgarian government reported that the satellite signal used for the aircraft's GPS navigation was neutralized during the flight. To ensure safety, air traffic control provided alternative landing methods using terrestrial navigation tools.

This incident has raised concerns about the ongoing threats posed by Russia. Podesta emphasized the urgency of von der Leyen's visit to EU nations bordering Russia and Belarus, stating, "This incident actually underlines the urgency of the mission that the president is carrying out in the front-line member states."

Von der Leyen is on a four-day tour of these nations, which are closely monitoring the situation with Russia. She has been a vocal critic of Russian President Vladimir Putin and has highlighted the need for increased defense spending in Europe.

The European Commission has been actively discussing defense strategies in light of the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. Podesta noted that the EU will continue to invest in defense capabilities and support for Ukraine, stating, "We are well aware that threats and intimidation are a regular component of Russia's hostile actions."

The GPS jamming incident is part of a broader pattern of alleged Russian interference in European airspace, which has included similar accusations against Russian operations targeting seaports and airports. These actions are seen as part of Moscow's hybrid warfare tactics against the West, particularly amid the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.

As von der Leyen continues her tour, she is expected to address the challenges posed by Russia and discuss defense production with Bulgarian officials. In a recent statement, she criticized Putin's ongoing war in Ukraine, asserting, "Putin has not changed, and he will not change. He is a predator. He can only be kept in check through strong deterrence."

This situation remains fluid, and further developments are anticipated as the EU responds to the implications of the GPS jamming incident.