Russia's GPS Jamming in Europe Targets NATO Unity on Ukraine, Says ISW

Recent incidents of GPS blocking in and near Finland are believed to be part of Russia's escalating hybrid campaign directly targeting NATO, according to the Institute for the Study of War (ISW) on July 11.

Russia has faced accusations of jamming GPS signals in Finland and the surrounding region since the 2010s, but occurrences have surged in recent months, particularly over the Baltic Sea.

A Finnish maritime pilot recently reported "massive GPS jamming and radar interference" from July 10 to 11 in the eastern Gulf of Finland, noting that GPS was unavailable for 90% of the journey between the Orrengrund pilot station and Hamina harbor.

Authorities in Finland acknowledged an unusually high number of GPS malfunctions this week, as reported by the Iltalehti newspaper. The Finnish Transport and Communications Agency (Traficom) indicated that most disruptions affecting air and maritime transport originate from Russia.

The ISW stated that Russia's actions are likely aimed at undermining support for Ukraine and NATO unity among NATO member states: “Likely Russian jamming from Kaliningrad has previously jammed the GPS of a plane carrying then–UK Defense Minister Grant Shapps and forced Finnish aircraft carrier Finnair to ground multiple flights out of Finland. Russia's apparent GPS jamming is likely part of Russia's intensifying hybrid campaign directly targeting NATO states likely aimed at undermining support for Ukraine and NATO unity.”

Finland, which shares a 1,340-kilometer border with Russia (excluding the Gulf of Finland), has reported various hybrid attacks from Russia.

Other countries in the Baltic region and Poland have also reported instances of Russian GPS jamming. Earlier this year, substantial interference in Tartu, Estonia, led to flight suspensions at the local airport, with Tallinn attributing the disruptions to Russia.