On September 24, 2025, a Spanish Air Force Airbus A330, carrying Spain’s Defense Minister Margarita Robles, experienced a GPS “disturbance” while flying near Russia’s Kaliningrad exclave en route to Lithuania. The incident, reported by Spain’s Defense Ministry, occurred as the aircraft was traveling to Šiauliai Air Base, where Robles was scheduled to meet her Lithuanian counterpart, Dovilė Šakalienė, and visit Spanish troops deployed as part of NATO’s Baltic Air Policing mission.
Details of the Incident
The aircraft, part of the Spanish Air and Space Force, was transporting not only Robles but also relatives of Spanish airmen involved in NATO’s Vilkas mission, meaning “wolf” in Lithuanian, as well as journalists.
The mission, launched earlier in September 2025 after Poland shot down drones violating its airspace, aims to bolster NATO’s air defense on its eastern flank.
Last week, the Spanish contingent intercepted eight Russian aircraft over the Baltic Sea, highlighting heightened tensions in the region.
According to a Spanish Defense Ministry spokesperson, the GPS interference did not disrupt the flight, as the aircraft was equipped with an encrypted navigation system that relied on military satellites. A commander onboard noted that such incidents are common near Kaliningrad for both military and civilian aircraft, emphasizing that the plane’s secure systems ensured safe navigation.
Context of GPS Jamming in the Region
The incident follows a pattern of suspected Russian electronic warfare tactics, particularly GPS jamming and spoofing, which have escalated since Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022.
Kaliningrad, a Russian exclave wedged between Poland and Lithuania, is a known hotspot for such activities, with Baltic and Nordic nations like Estonia, Finland, Latvia, and Lithuania repeatedly reporting disruptions to air, sea, and drone navigation. Finland’s military has stated that Russia employs GPS jamming to protect its Baltic Sea oil ports and military assets from Ukrainian drone attacks.
This event is not isolated. In August 2025, a plane carrying European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen faced similar GPS jamming over Bulgaria, forcing pilots to rely on paper maps to land safely at Plovdiv Airport.
In March 2024, a Royal Air Force plane carrying then-UK Defense Secretary Grant Shapps also experienced GPS spoofing near Kaliningrad. These incidents have raised concerns about Russia’s use of electronic warfare as part of a broader hybrid strategy to destabilize Western operations.
Broader Implications
While Russia denies deliberate interference with civilian aviation, Western officials and experts argue that the increasing frequency and range of GPS disruptions suggest a strategic intent to sow disorder and challenge NATO’s security.
The European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) has identified the Baltic Sea, eastern Finland, the Black Sea, and the Eastern Mediterranean as key areas affected by such interference. In April and May 2024, Finnair suspended flights to Tartu, Estonia, due to repeated jamming incidents that compromised safe approaches.
NATO and the EU are responding by enhancing countermeasures, including deploying additional low Earth orbit satellites to detect interference and establishing land-based positioning systems around the Baltic Sea.
Poland, Sweden, and Denmark are also setting up coastal monitoring stations to track disruptions in real time. Despite these efforts, the persistence of GPS jamming poses risks, including potential mid-flight collisions or navigation errors, particularly in conflict-adjacent regions.
Official Responses and Future Outlook
Spain’s Defense Ministry downplayed the incident, noting that the aircraft’s encrypted systems mitigated the disruption. However, the event underscores the vulnerability of navigation systems in contested areas and the need for robust alternatives. Robles, a staunch supporter of NATO and the EU, was en route to discuss strengthening European defense cooperation, particularly after Spain decides to prioritize European-made equipment over U.S.-made F-35 jets.
As tensions with Russia continue, incidents like this highlight the challenges of operating near its borders. While Moscow claims its jamming is defensive, aimed at countering Ukrainian drone threats, Baltic officials argue that the interference’s reach far beyond Russia’s borders suggests a broader agenda.
The EU and NATO remain committed to countering these hybrid threats, with plans to bolster defense capabilities and support for Ukraine in response to Russia’s actions.
This incident serves as a reminder of the evolving nature of electronic warfare and its implications for both military and civilian aviation in the Baltic region. As NATO strengthens its presence, further incidents may test the alliance’s resilience and preparedness.
