Sky News: Moscow Sends A Signal

• 2.09.2025, 9:01

The moment for the "attack" on Ursula von der Leyen's plane was not chosen by chance.

Bulgarian authorities have said they suspect Russia of deliberately jamming the GPS system of an airplane carrying European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. It is seen as an attempt at intimidation or even a direct threat.

It is curious that the alleged interference came at a time when the European Union is preparing a 19th package of sanctions against Russia, while European leaders are discussing security guarantees for Ukraine and trying to persuade the U.S. to take a tougher stance, writes Sky News.

The incident coincided with the European Commission chief's four-day tour of EU countries bordering or near Russia. According to her spokesman, von der Leyen "saw firsthand the daily challenges and threats posed by Russia and its proxies."

Similar actions European leaders and NATO have repeatedly categorized as elements of the hybrid warfare that Moscow has been waging since the start of its full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Its arsenal includes cyberattacks, jamming of navigation systems, and attempts to spy on Alliance facilities.

Experts note that such "attacks" not only continue, but will intensify as the EU increases pressure on Moscow. In particular, unidentified drones were recently spotted in Germany monitoring the movement of NATO troops through East Germany and Thuringia to the eastern front to deliver munitions to Ukraine.

Media reports suggest that this could well have been part of a Russian intelligence operation, as the drones were focused on the movement of NATO forces.