Sweden accuses Russia of GPS jamming over Baltic Sea

Sweden has accused Russia of orchestrating a dramatic surge in GPS jamming incidents over the Baltic Sea, significantly increasing risks to civil aviation in the region. The Swedish Transport Agency reported that incidents of GPS interference have skyrocketed from just 55 in 2023 to 733 so far in 2025, indicating a severe escalation. This interference includes both jamming, which blocks signals, and spoofing, which provides false positioning data. Authorities have conducted extensive analyses and traced the source of these disruptions to Russian territory. The interference, initially confined to eastern parts of Swedish airspace over international waters, has now spread to cover wider areas, including Swedish land and waters, affecting both aviation and shipping. The rise in GPS jamming poses a direct threat to aviation safety, as pilots rely on accurate navigation systems. Andreas Holmgren, head of aviation at the Swedish Transport Agency, emphasized that this is a serious security risk due to the extent, duration, and nature of the interference, which occurs almost daily. In response, Sweden and other Baltic Sea countries—Estonia, Finland, Latvia, Lithuania, and Poland—raised the issue with the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) in June. The ICAO Council, which includes Russia, expressed grave concern and demanded an immediate end to the disturbances, but disruptions have only intensified since then. The warning came shortly after a plane carrying European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen experienced GPS jamming while preparing to land in Bulgaria, though it landed safely using alternative methods. EU officials blamed Russia for the incident, reinforcing concerns about hybrid warfare tactics. European governments and experts often attribute such actions to Russia as part of a broader strategy to sow disorder and undermine European security. However, Moscow consistently denies involvement, and no proven link has been established, though the geographical pattern points to Russian origins. The ongoing disruptions highlight vulnerabilities in civil aviation navigation and escalating geopolitical tensions. Affected nations plan to bring the matter to ICAO’s general assembly this fall, seeking stronger international measures to ensure safety and accountability.