- Russian satellites are being tested for GPS jamming capability.
The Russian Defense Ministry ran electronic‑emission tests on 1‑2 June 2026 using ground stations in Germany, France and Poland. Receivers recorded a drop of up to 12 dB in GPS L1 signal strength, matching the signature of deliberate interference rather than natural ionospheric noise. The equipment used was a standard civilian GNSS receiver, and the same pattern was reproduced in multiple locations.
If confirmed, the ability to blanket‑jam GPS would give Russia a tool to degrade navigation for civilian infrastructure and military forces without breaching airspace. Europe’s reliance on GPS for transport, timing and emergency services makes the potential disruption a strategic concern.
The findings are still preliminary; further analysis is needed to rule out equipment error, but the tests align with earlier, unexplained GPS glitches reported across the continent in late May.