Russia Intensifies GPS Jamming Across NATO Border, Raising Risks for 1,000-Km Drone and Civil Flights
Updated
Updated · The Globe and Mail · Jun 18
Russia Intensifies GPS Jamming Across NATO Border, Raising Risks for 1,000-Km Drone and Civil Flights
3 articles · Updated · The Globe and Mail · Jun 18
Summary
Russia has stepped up GPS jamming and spoofing along its western border since 2022, disrupting commercial aviation and creating new hazards in NATO airspace, especially during low-visibility landings.
The increase appears tied to Ukraine’s drones, which can strike targets 1,000 kilometres or more inside Russia, prompting broader interference that spills hundreds of kilometres into neighboring NATO states.
Spoofing poses the sharper danger because fake signals can shift an aircraft or drone’s apparent position by tens or hundreds of kilometres, potentially sending it into hostile airspace or off course.
Latvia and Estonia have already seen fallout: two likely spoofed Ukrainian drones hit a Latvian oil storage site last month, and two more were later shot down over the two countries.
The article argues NATO should require airlines in its airspace to adopt anti-interference technology and open talks with Moscow on grey-zone actions before a mass-casualty accident triggers escalation.
Could a single spoofed passenger jet accidentally trigger a war between Russia and NATO?
With Russia’s brute force and Ukraine’s precision, who is winning Europe’s invisible electronic war?
As GPS becomes a weapon, how can our hyper-connected world survive without it?
Under Attack: The 2024–2026 Russian GPS Interference Crisis and Its Threat to European Security
Overview
Since 2024, GPS interference has become a major threat across Europe, with the situation worsening by mid-2026. Russia has been widely linked to large-scale jamming and spoofing operations, which have disrupted essential navigation systems. This has created serious risks for aviation, maritime activities, and critical infrastructure. Notably, in August 2025, a plane carrying the European Commission President was targeted by suspected Russian GPS jamming over Bulgaria, forcing pilots to circle the airport and land using analogue maps. These incidents highlight the growing danger and the urgent need for coordinated action to protect vital systems.