Baltic Ministers Warn of Potential Air Disasters Due to GPS Jamming Accused on Russia
In a recent alarming report, ministers from the Baltic states have issued stern warnings regarding the dangers posed by GPS jamming, which they attribute to Russian interference. The disruption has already led to severe incidents, including two Finnish flights being forced to turn back mid-journey. Gabrielius Landsbergis, Lithuania's
In a recent alarming report, ministers from the Baltic states have issued stern warnings regarding the dangers posed by GPS jamming, which they attribute to Russian interference. The disruption has already led to severe incidents, including two Finnish flights being forced to turn back mid-journey.
Gabrielius Landsbergis, Lithuania's Foreign Minister, has expressed grave concerns about the escalating situation near Russian borders, describing it as too perilous to ignore. Similarly, Estonia's Foreign Minister, Margus Tsahkna, emphasized that the GPS disruptions are seen as part of hostile actions by Russia. He assured that these issues would be addressed with NATO allies, labeling such acts as hybrid attacks that threaten regional security.
Experts have noted that tens of thousands of civilian flights have suffered from GPS jamming in recent months. The interference affects all GPS users within its range, also impeding maritime navigation signals in the Baltic Sea, prompting the Swedish fleet to issue safety warnings.
A high-ranking official suggested that one motive behind the jamming could be Russia's attempt to shield Kaliningrad from potential Ukrainian drone attacks. It is believed that several sources of GPS interference exist: one in Kaliningrad, another affecting Estonia and Finland, and a third impacting northern areas of Norway and Finland. This multifaceted threat highlights the complexity and danger of the situation as it continues to evolve.