Poland detects GPS signal interruptions over the Baltic Sea and links them to Russia

Poland has been detecting global satellite navigation system (GPS) signal interruptions over the Baltic Sea and attributes this to Russia’s actions.

Wladyslaw Kosiniak-Kamysz, Polish Defense Minister, stated this during a press conference on Tuesday, June 17, RMF24 reports.

Among other things, he was asked about reports of GPS interference in the north of the country and whether their origin is traced.

“We are observing these disturbances. Our allies also observe them over the Baltic Sea in NATO countries, both in the Baltic States and in Northern Europe, so we are responding. According to our sources, this activity is connected with the activities of the Russian Federation, in particular with sabotage,” Kosinyak-Kamysz stated.

He added that a few weeks ago, a “special security committee” meeting was held on this issue.

“General Maciej Klisz, the operational commander, has prepared a number of recommendations for military aviation, and we have also passed on all the information to civil aviation, flight control authorities, and the Polish Air Navigation Services Agency,” the Polish minister noted.

Kosiniak-Kamysz also emphasized the need for increased vigilance due to the growing number of cases of signal disruption.

According to the broadcaster, yesterday, the Polish Air Navigation Services Agency issued an official warning about severe GPS signal interference in the country’s north.

This is increasingly causing problems for drone operators, who complain of difficulties in controlling them and unusual behavior. This refers to serious GPS signal interruptions and possible attempts at so-called spoofing, or falsification of navigation data. In practice, this can lead to losing control over the aircraft.

Interruptions in the GPS signal affect not only drone control but also air traffic. For example, on Monday morning, a passenger plane that was supposed to land in Bydgoszcz was diverted to Poznan because of the disruption.

Last week, Lithuanian Deputy Defense Minister Karolis Aleksa reported that Russia’s blocking of GPS signals in the Baltic is expanding. Also, the Lithuanian Armed Forces stated that blocking GPS signals and disrupting the control system along the Lithuanian coast of the Baltic Sea leads to accidents or loss of control over drones. This is happening, in particular, in the area of the Curonian Lagoon, which is located near the Russian Kaliningrad region.

In late May, it was reported that Russians jamming and spoofing of GPS signals in the eastern part of the Baltic Sea posed a threat to civilian shipping, which is a cause for concern for countries in the region.