Ground-based GPS jamming now reaches satellites; Experts call for Europe-wide adoption of jamming-resistant technology

GPS jamming and spoofing is no longer just a problem in war zones. On August 12, Latvia’s Electronic Communications Office confirmed that Russia is disrupting satellite navigation systems from three permanent sites in Kaliningrad, Leningrad, and Pskov Oblasts, creating widespread risks for civil aviation and critical infrastructure across the Baltic Sea region.

The agency described the issue as a “growing problem” that has outgrown national borders, forcing pilots to rely on fallback navigation methods and even grounding flights. Estonian ministers have previously called the interference a “deliberate hybrid attack” reaching into everyday life.

According to space industry experts from Astrolight, a space-tech startup from Lithuania that develops laser communication solutions for space and Earth, we need to put our focus on jamming-resistant technology.

“The Baltics are on the frontline of electronic warfare, and this could spread to other regions soon,” said Laurynas Mačiulis, CEO of Astrolight. “Satellites, navigation, and communications are experiencing regular attacks. We need jamming-resistant technology now – and it must be addressed across NATO, not just locally.”

Traditionally, GPS jamming and spoofing was considered a localized threat, disrupting signals for aircraft or ground forces. But in July 2025, reports from Ukraine disclosed that Russian systems are now powerful enough to interfere with GPS signals over 1,200 miles above ground, causing satellites in low-Earth orbit to lose navigation accuracy. Experts say this is the first widely reported case of ground-based systems interfering with satellites directly.

UN agencies warn that ground-based jamming now threatens military operations, disrupts airline navigation, and interferes with maritime shipping. Civilian infrastructure, from power grids to banking systems that rely on GPS timing, is also at risk, exposing how vulnerable conventional radio-frequency (RF)  links are to high-power interference.

The European Space Agency is dealing with the issue by investing €1 billion in a new military-grade satellite network. European Commissioner for defense and Space Andrius Kubilius is pushing for stronger EU-wide coordination to counter Russian hybrid attacks, including electronic warfare that now reaches into space.

“Russia’s hybrid and total war strategy in Europe is clear – from attacks on Ukraine to sabotage in Germany, disruption of Baltic communication lines, and ongoing interference in political processes across the region,” said Andrius Kubilius, European Commissioner for defense and Space. “These actions show that hybrid threats are happening now, and we must respond with higher investments and even stronger technology.”

The risks extend beyond political and physical infrastructure, according to Mačiulis.

“We believe that low Earth orbit satellites will be the next target of the enemy's electronic warfare efforts. In warzones and global hot-spots, these satellites are now essential for providing real-time intelligence on troop movements and monitoring critical infrastructure,” he said.

Earlier, Ukraine’s defense Intelligence Directorate (GUR) reported that more than 1,500 Russian targets worth billions of dollars have been destroyed over the past two years thanks to imagery from Ukraine's radar satellite.

“Laser based communication is the only technology today that offers true immunity against these new-generation electronic warfare threats and can reliably protect our satellites from jamming and interference,” Mačiulis said.

Unlike RF, laser communications are highly directional and resistant to such attacks – because laser beams are less than thousands of degrees wide, they are hard to detect or intercept.