Aircraft with European Commission president onboard reportedly forced to circle Bulgarian airport for an hour
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Russia is believed to have jammed the satellite signal of a plane carrying the European Commission president, Ursula von der Leyen, over Bulgaria, reportedly forcing it to circle the airport for an hour.
Von der Leyen was travelling to Plovdiv on Sunday when her charter plane lost electronic navigation aids, delaying its arrival in the central Bulgarian city.
The commission deputy spokesperson Arianna Podestà confirmed the incident had taken place. “We have received information from the Bulgarian authorities that they suspect this was due to blatant interference by Russia. Of course, we are aware and used to … the threats and intimidations that are a regular component of Russia’s hostile behaviour.”
