An RAF aircraft carrying Defence Secretary John Healey experienced GPS signal jamming while flying near the Russian border, officials confirmed. The incident occurred on Thursday as Healey was returning to the United Kingdom following a visit to British troops stationed in Estonia.

According to sources, all satellite-based navigation was disrupted for the duration of the three-hour flight aboard the Dassault Falcon 900LX. Passengers, which included photographers and a reporter, were informed that despite the GPS interference, the aircraft remained fully operational using alternative navigation systems. Devices such as smartphones and laptops on board also lost internet connectivity during the episode.

While it remains unclear whether Healey himself was specifically targeted, the flight path had been publicly visible on aircraft tracking platforms. A defense official described the event as “reckless Russian interference,” but emphasized that RAF personnel are well equipped to manage such electronic threats.

This incident follows heightened tensions in the region, coming just days after the Ministry of Defence disclosed dangerous interactions between Russian and British military aircraft over the Black Sea. In one such episode, a Russian Su-35 reportedly flew close enough to a British reconnaissance plane to activate its emergency protocols, including disengaging its autopilot. Additionally, a Russian Su-27 made multiple close passes at the unarmed RAF Rivet Joint aircraft, at times as near as six meters from its nose. The MoD described these maneuvers as some of the most hazardous Russian actions against a British intelligence aircraft since a missile was fired over the Black Sea in 2022.

Similar interference has been recorded previously. In March 2024, an RAF plane transporting former Defence Secretary Grant Shapps had its GPS signal jammed for about 30 minutes during a return flight from Poland near Russian territory.

The UK government has not publicly commented on attributing responsibility for the latest GPS disruption, but officials have pointed to ongoing concerns over Russian electronic warfare capabilities in the region. The Ministry of Defence continues to monitor and prepare for potential future incidents involving navigation system interference.