Finland warned Monday of increasing GPS interference believed to originate from Russia, while the Czech intelligence chief cautioned that a limited attack on a Baltic NATO member could be used to test the alliance’s resolve, as security concerns continue to grow across Northern and Eastern Europe amid the ongoing war in Ukraine.
Finnish public broadcaster Yle reported that GPS disturbances, which in recent years were mainly concentrated in the Gulf of Finland, are now being detected intermittently farther west in the Archipelago Sea and around the Aland Islands.
According to Pekka Niittyla, deputy commander of the West Finland Coast Guard District, the interference is linked to Russia’s efforts to protect strategically important ports that were recently targeted by Ukrainian attacks.
"Interference occurs especially in the open sea. In the inner archipelago, the impact of the interference signal is less due to the covered terrain," Niittyla said.
Finnish authorities warned that the disruptions make it harder for GPS receivers on boats and ships to determine accurate positions and may also affect the operation of other onboard systems.
