GPS signals of RAF jet carrying defence secretary jammed by Russia'

An RAF jet carrying the defence secretary experienced electronic jamming while flying near the Russian border. John Healey was returning to the UK from Estonia after visiting British soldiers when the attack occurred. Smartphones and laptops lost internet connectivity and pilots had to rely on a different navigation system because GPS was disabled for the entire three-hour flight. It was not confirmed whether Healey was specifically targeted, but the flight path was visible on aircraft tracking websites. Passengers, including photographers and a reporter, were told the Dassault Falcon 900LX could still operate safely. A defence source described the incident as reckless Russian interference and said the RAF was prepared to handle such activity.

"An RAF jet carrying the defence secretary had its signals jammed as it flew near the Russian border this week. John Healey was travelling back to the UK from Estonia, where he had been visiting British soldiers, when the electronic attack happened, according to The Times. It is thought Russia was behind the incident on Thursday, which meant that smartphones and laptops were unable to connect to the internet and pilots had to use a different navigation system as the plane's GPS was disabled for the entire three-hour flight."

"It is not known if Mr Healey was deliberately targeted, but the flight path was visible on aircraft tracking websites, the newspaper reported. Passengers, who included photographers and a reporter, were told the Dassault Falcon 900LX aircraft could still operate safely. A defence source told The Independent: This is reckless Russian interference, but the RAF is well prepared to deal with this activity."

Read at www.independent.co.uk