Reports of GPS interference from the southern Baltic Sea through Lithuania, eastern Poland, Romania and Bulgaria

According to a map of aircraft observations published by ItaMilRadar and cited by Defence Blog, satellite navigation interference on 3 November affected almost the entire length of NATO’s eastern border — from the southern Baltic Sea through Lithuania, eastern Poland, Romania and Bulgaria to the western Black Sea. The information comes from a single source, and Flank has found no independent confirmation.

The reported interference and dates require verification

Defence Blog cites a map of aircraft observations which, according to the outlet, was published by the Italian project ItaMilRadar. In Defence Blog’s description, the strongest interference forms an almost continuous band along NATO’s eastern flank.

Without the original map, the time span and the observation methodology, it is not possible to verify whether the description reflects actual navigation anomalies. First, however, the future dates need to be clarified. The information is subject to further updates once the original source and independent confirmation are obtained.

What this would mean for flights in Bulgaria

According to Defence Blog, Bulgaria and the western Black Sea fall within the area described. If the report is confirmed, the key question for Bulgaria will be which parts of its airspace are affected and whether there are consequences for civilian or military flights. So far, no disruption to specific flights, airport operations or Bulgarian armed forces activities has been established.

The presence of navigation anomalies, their operational impact and their cause are separate questions. Jamming makes it harder to receive the navigation signal, while spoofing can generate false location information. The report does not allow a determination of which mechanism, if any, is behind what has been described.

Even a wide area of anomalies does not, in itself, prove a common source of interference, a coordinated operation or state responsibility.