American researchers have established a direct link between the operation of Russian spacecraft and a series of mysterious outages in the GPS navigation system. Since 2019, similar incidents have been regularly recorded across Europe and North America, posing a threat to the stability of critical infrastructure.

According to the "Disinformation Counteraction Center," out of 75 recorded cases of short-term GPS signal interference, at least three were caused by emissions from satellites of the Russian early warning system for missile attacks. All these incidents were characterized by an identical signal type and predominantly occurred over the European continent.

Dual-Use Technologies

The focus has shifted to satellites of the Unified Space System (USS). These spacecraft are placed in a specific "Molniya" orbit and are officially intended for detecting ballistic missile launches and registering nuclear explosions. However, as experts have found, their technical specifications allow for the creation of interference in the civilian frequency range.

The interference generated by these spacecraft has a direct impact on the operation of a wide range of technologies used daily by the civilian population. The following are under attack:

  • Navigation services and map applications;
  • Logistics systems managing cargo flows;
  • Mobile applications with geolocation features;
  • Precision timing systems synchronizing network operations.

The "Disinformation Counteraction Center" noted that Russia continues to apply hybrid influence tools against Western countries. This arsenal includes not only cyberattacks and sabotage but also direct interference with the operation of navigation and communication systems.

Risks for Aviation and Politicians

The problem of GPS signal outages in Europe is systemic. It was previously reported that aircraft carrying top politicians were affected by jamming. One of the high-profile cases involved an aircraft carrying European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.

As early as last year, the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) officially held Russia and North Korea responsible for GPS signal jamming in European airspace. This confirms that the issue goes beyond technical complaints and becomes a matter of international security.

Currently, the European Union is conducting its own investigation into the incidents. Brussels officials are working on improving systems for detecting and locating such obstacles to minimize damage from Russian satellite actions.