British media reported that Russia interfered with the GPS signal on the plane carrying British Defense Minister Grant Shapps to and from Poland. “Although the RAF is well-prepared to deal with such situations, it still poses unnecessary risks to civilian aircraft and could potentially endanger lives. There is no justification for this, and it is very irresponsible on Russia’s part,” said a military source quoted by British media.
Shapps arrived at the Orzysz training ground in Poland aboard a Dassault 900LX Falcon military aircraft, where he observed the Dragon-24 exercises alongside his Polish counterpart, Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz. Also on board the aircraft were a group of British journalists.
According to British media reports, the GPS signal was disrupted for approximately 30 minutes while the aircraft was flying near the Russian Kaliningrad Oblast. As a result, mobile phones were unable to connect to the internet, and pilots were forced to use alternative methods to determine the aircraft’s location. The same incident occurred on the return journey in the evening.
Sources cited by the media stated that the electronic attack did not pose a threat to the safety of the aircraft.
“Although the RAF is well-prepared to deal with such situations, it still poses unnecessary risks to civilian aircraft and could potentially endanger lives. There is no justification for this, and it is very irresponsible on Russia’s part,” said a military source quoted by British media.
According to sources cited by the media, the GPS jamming originated in the Kaliningrad Oblast. British media explain that GPS jamming equipment can be operated by aircraft, including unmanned ones, but is typically carried on ground vehicles.
They also recall that Shapps, who has been Defense Minister since August last year, recently accused Russian President Vladimir Putin of “saber-rattling” and irresponsible behavior regarding his assurances that Russia is prepared for nuclear war.