Estonia: Satellite navigation interference caused by Russia is getting stronger

The Estonian Ministry of Foreign Affairs summoned Russia’s temporary plenipotentiary on Wednesday to protest Russia’s interference with the GPS signal in Estonia.

Foreign Minister Margus Cahkna said that Russia’s interference with satellite navigation is getting stronger over time, causing confusion and significantly affecting civil aviation.

“Such an action violates the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) rules on radio communications, which prohibit this type of interference, and we expressed this to Russia’s temporary authorized registrar,” the minister said.

“GPS signal jamming is an element of Russia’s hybrid activities that disrupts our normal daily lives and threatens the security of our allies, similar to the violent incidents, cyberattacks and disinformation campaigns organized by Russia,” Cahkna added.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs of Estonia added that GPS signal interference caused by Russia has significantly harmed air traffic in our region, which is especially evidenced by the suspension of airplane flights between Helsinki and Tartu.

Cahkna has discussed the threat posed by GPS signal interference with representatives of European Union member states and NATO allies, and last week it was also discussed at the North Atlantic Council.

Russian hybrid attacks in Europe and elsewhere are becoming an increasingly pressing issue. Several European countries have summoned senior Russian diplomats this week to protest Moscow’s orchestrated hybrid and cyber attacks.