Baltic ministers issue warning about Russian GPS jamming posing threat to air safety

Baltic Ministers Warn of Air Disaster Risk Due to GPS Jamming Blamed on Russia

Baltic ministers have issued a stark warning about the dangers of GPS jamming in the region, which they attribute to Russia. The interference with navigation signals has already led to two Finnish flights being forced to turn around mid-journey, raising concerns about the safety of civilian aircraft.

The foreign ministers of Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania have all expressed alarm at the increasing incidents of GPS jamming across the Baltic Sea. The recent disruption caused two Finnair flights from Helsinki to Tartu to abandon their planned routes and return to Finland due to navigation difficulties.

Lithuania’s foreign minister, Gabrielius Landsbergis, likened the situation to driving with the headlights turned off at night, emphasizing the grave risks involved. Estonia’s foreign minister, Margus Tsahkna, labeled the GPS interference as part of Russia’s hostile activities and vowed to address the issue with allies.

Experts estimate that tens of thousands of civilian flights have been affected by the GPS jamming, which also poses a threat to maritime navigation in the Baltic Sea. While the source of the interference has not been officially confirmed, officials in the region point to Russia, particularly from its mainland and exclave of Kaliningrad.

The UK has also reported incidents of GPS signal jamming near Kaliningrad, highlighting the potential dangers posed to international air traffic. Despite the availability of backup systems, concerns remain about the impact on aviation efficiency and safety.

Baltic officials are urging Russia to cease the GPS jamming activities and are seeking support from allies to address the issue. The situation is being closely monitored as the risk of an air disaster looms large in the region.