by Oui
Fri Sep 5th, 2025 at 08:12:54 PM EST
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"Blatant interference..." EU blames Russia as von der Leyen's plane hit by GPS jamming in Bulgaria
What makes her think she is that important to be the target of GPS jamming?
Planes Hit by Mystery GPS Jamming Across Europe | Newsweek - 25 March 2024 |
Civilian flights Poland Baltic States hit by GPS jamming Ukraine war w Russia
POLITICS IN EUROPEAN UNION FALLING APART
Headlines today illustrated VDL and Rutte instil FEAR for a war narrative based in DISINFORMATION
Did Russians really attack Von der Leyen's plane's, or is it a fabricated story?
| De Volkskrant |
An incident involving a plane carrying EU President Ursula von der Leyen was interpreted this week as a targeted attack by Russia. But it turns out the story is more complicated than that.
It was a "direct threat from the Russians," NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte said of the GPS jamming of a plane carrying Ursula von der Leyen, the President of the European Commission.
Her plane encountered problems over Bulgaria on September 1st when its GPS signal was lost. Rutte immediately pointed the finger at Russia. "It is being taken very seriously," he added at a press conference. "I can assure you that we are working day and night to prevent this and ensure it doesn't happen again."
But just days after the incident, Bulgaria cast doubt on the cause of the problems with Von der Leyen's plane. Bulgarian Prime Minister Rosen Zhelyazkov said on Thursday that there was no interference. The Deputy Minister of Transport agreed, saying there was no indication of GPS interference. A few hours later, the prime minister changed his mind. Just because ground systems hadn't detected GPS interference doesn't mean it wasn't there, he said.
What exactly happened to Von der Leyen's plane?
The Financial Times, which had a journalist on board, reported the GPS interference on Monday. The British newspaper quoted an EU official as saying that the GPS system at the entire Plovdiv airport had gone dark, the plane carrying Von der Leyen had circled for an hour, and the pilot had landed using analog maps.
But according to FlightRadar24, a website that displays flight movements, the flight data shows no indication that von der Leyen's plane was affected by GPS interference. The plane did not circle for an hour before landing. However, the flight data does show that the plane circled for an extra hour before landing nine minutes later than planned.
Jammed up -- where did the headlines come from? | FlightRadar24 |
The aircraft carrying von der Leyen and other European Commission officials and journalists departed Warsaw at 12:37 UTC. At 13:45 the flight began its initial descent into Plovdiv.
As the flight neared Plovdiv and the pilots prepared to land, they reported issues with their ability to fly a GPS-based arrival and asked if an ILS approach was possible instead. Coordinating with ATC, the pilots requested to fly to the VOR near the airport and begin the ILS approach to land on Runway 30. The flight landed at 14:32 UTC without incident.
France: Socialists to the Rescue of Macron?
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Macron urges govt to work with Socialists as PM fights for survival | France24 |
Less than a week until a no-confidence vote, French President Emmanuel Macron has urged Prime Minister Francois Bayrou to work with the Socialist Party, which says it is ready to form a new government. Bayrou though has so far made no concessions to the Socialists to try and get them to reverse their decision to bring down his government and even criticised them on Wednesday over their 'risky' move to succeed him. Emerald Maxwell reports.
Cyprus Inverse Military Threat South v North
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Erdogan's Official Military Move Against Netanyahu? 1 Lakh Turkey Soldiers Near Israel on Cyprus
Turkey has unveiled sweeping new military plans for Northern Cyprus, signaling the largest troop buildup in the region since 1984. Reports suggest Ankara will more than double its deployment from 40,000 to 100,000 soldiers, while bolstering bases, air defenses, drones, and coastal missile systems. Turkish officials have framed the move as a response to "growing Israeli threats," accusing Israel of using Southern Cyprus as a forward base. The escalation comes as Ankara severs trade ties and shuts its airspace to Israel amid the Gaza war. Analysts warn the militarization of Cyprus could create a dangerous new flashpoint in the Eastern Mediterranean.
- British military base used for Israeli targeting intelligence on a defenseless civilian population of Gaza
- Does Gaza GHB aid operate from Cyprus base?
Turkey reportedly expands military presence in occupied Cyprus
Military buildup signals Turkey's strategic ambitions in Cyprus. (Photo courtesy of Defenseredefined.com.cy)
Turkish media report a major military buildup in occupied northern Cyprus, with troop numbers expected to more than double in the near future. TRT Haber said Ankara is reinforcing its presence on the island as Cyprus gains strategic importance amid instability in the Middle East and Eastern Mediterranean.
The Supreme Military Council has elevated the local command to a lieutenant general, signaling a more permanent and institutionalized military presence. Turkish sources say forces could surpass 100,000, expanding from limited units to a comprehensive regional deterrent with land, naval, air, electronic warfare, and support components.
Officials frame the buildup as a response to increased military activity by the United States, Israel, the United Kingdom, and Germany in the Republic of Cyprus. Ankara has said these developments threaten regional stability and justify measures to protect the Turkish Cypriot community.
