FT News Briefing Russia suspected of GPS interference on EU official's flight
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Sep 2, 2025 A European Commission flight is suspected of being affected by Russian GPS interference, sparking national security concerns. Meanwhile, Israeli banks face pressure to return wartime profits to customers. On the tech front, Xiaomi is aggressively rebranding to compete with industry giants like Tesla and Apple. Additionally, a high-profile trial of a former Brazilian president is nearing its conclusion, highlighting the intersection of politics and emerging market challenges.
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Onboard GPS Failure During Commission Trip
- Henry Foy describes being on Ursula von der Leyen's plane when GPS navigation failed and the pilot landed using paper maps.
- He recounts the unsettling realization that suspected Russian interference targeted a flight carrying the European Commission president.
GPS Attacks Reflect Wider Security Risks
- GPS jamming incidents have risen sharply around frontline eastern European states since February 2022.
- The Commission says such interference highlights the need to invest in civil infrastructure and cybersecurity, not just military hardware.
Civil Infrastructure Under Threat
- Baltic and nearby states report regular GPS jamming affecting commercial flights and daily services like navigation apps.
- Governments warn continued interference could cause major air crashes and public safety risks.