Russia reportedly jams signals of plane carrying UK defense minister
Britain's Secretary of Defense Grant Shapps speaks during a joint news conference with the Polish defense minister after their meeting on a military training compound next to Orzysz, North-Eastern Poland, on March 13, 2024. (AFP Photo)


Russia allegedly jammed the GPS signal of the U.K. aircraft carrying Defense Secretary Grant Shapps heading back to Britain from a diplomatic visit to Poland on Wednesday.

The incident occurred as the plane traversed airspace above Kaliningrad, a Russian territory between Poland and Lithuania, according to the Independent newspaper.

The aircraft, an RAF Dassault 900LX Falcon jet named, Envoy, faced interference with its GPS signal for about 30 minutes which disrupted the communication systems onboard and rendered phones unable to connect to the plane's wifi system.

Pilots were forced to rely on alternative navigation systems to ensure the safe continuation of the flight.

While the motive behind the attack remains unclear, Shapps' presence on the flight raises questions regarding potential deliberate targeting.

Officials have, however, emphasized that the safety of the aircraft was not compromised.

The Independent, citing a defense source, said the incident was labeled "wildly irresponsible" and an unnecessary risk posed to a civilian aircraft.