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2 clusters · 16 sources · 3 days · First seen 4 days ago · Last updated 1 day ago

GPS jamming incident in Sofia, Bulgaria

Overview

Authorities in Sofia, Bulgaria, neutralized a powerful GPS jammer located in a heavily guarded private complex in the Dragalevtsi district. The device caused signal interference affecting television towers, aircraft flying over the capital, and the area surrounding Vasil Levski Sofia Airport.

Transport Minister Georgi Peev and airport officials noted that aviation safety was not compromised, as aircraft were able to switch to conventional ground-based navigation systems. However, pilots reported that GPS disruptions had persisted for at least three days.

The neutralization was a joint operation involving the State Agency for National Security (DANS), the Ministry of Interior, and the Communications Regulation Commission. During the investigation, authorities seized weapons, radio stations, and video storage devices. The operation also linked the interference to a jeep equipped with professional signal-jamming technology.

Prime Minister Rumen Radev announced that the owners of both the property and the vehicle have been identified. He stated that the operation signals a shift in how the state handles influential individuals, noting that the ‘protective umbrella’ previously enjoyed by certain figures is falling.

Experts have proposed several theories regarding the equipment's purpose, including protecting high-profile convoys against surveillance and remote detonators, or serving as a specialized defense system against drone attacks. Investigations continue to determine the technical origins and legal implications of the incident.

Entities

Communications Regulation Commission · Dragalevtsi · Sofia Airport · State Agency for National Security · Vasil Levski Sofia Airport

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.

[● 2 SOURCES] A powerful GPS jammer was located and neutralized in a heavily guarded complex in the Dragalevtsi district of Sofia. burgasmedia.com · www.aerotime.aero
[● 2 SOURCES] The device suppressed GPS frequencies used by Sofia Airport, aircraft overflying the capital, and television towers. burgasmedia.com · www.aerotime.aero
[● 2 SOURCES] The owner of the property and the owner of the vehicle equipped with the jammer have been identified. ruse.news · www.vesti.bg
[○ 1 SOURCE] The interference affected flight management but did not compromise flight safety as aircraft switched to terrestrial navigation. www.aerotime.aero
[○ 1 SOURCE] Commercial pilots reported GPS problems at Sofia Airport for at least three days prior to the neutralization. www.aerotime.aero
[○ 1 SOURCE] Authorities seized a jeep equipped with a professional jamming system and conducted searches in Dragalevtsi and Kapitan Andreevo. burgasmedia.com
[○ 1 SOURCE] The jamming system was likely designed to protect a moving convoy by blocking mobile signals, GPS, and remote detonators. petel.bg
[○ 1 SOURCE] One hypothesis is that the device was a specialized system for protection against drone attacks. pik.bg

Timeline

1 day ago

[INTERNATIONAL] 9 sources
Sofia GPS jamming device neutralized in Dragalevtsi complex
Bulgarian authorities neutralized a powerful GPS jammer in Sofia that disrupted airport and aircraft signals. The device was found in a private complex, and owners have been identified.
4 days ago

[INTERNATIONAL] 12 sources
Sofia GPS jammer neutralized in Dragalevtsi district
Bulgarian authorities neutralized a powerful GPS jammer in Sofia's Dragalevtsi district. The device affected aircraft and TV towers, but officials confirm aviation safety and airport operations remained intact.

Sources

actualno.com · aerotime.aero · burgasmedia.com · e-vestnik.bg · fakti.bg · netnews.bg · petel.bg · pik.bg · plovdiv24.bg · ruse.news · spotmedia.ro · standartnews.com · trafficnews.bg · vesti.bg · vevesti.bg · weekendphotography.com.br

This summary has been updated 1 time: see revision history