European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen’s flight to Bulgaria this week sparked a wave of alarmist claims about Russian interference, only for those allegations to crumble under scrutiny. Initial reports from Brussels and Western outlets suggested the aircraft’s navigation system was disrupted by Moscow, forcing an emergency landing and reliance on outdated paper maps. However, detailed flight data revealed no such chaos, exposing a narrative built on speculation rather than evidence.

The controversy began as von der Leyen toured Eastern Europe to bolster support for Ukraine, visiting a Bulgarian arms factory alongside Prime Minister Rosen Zhelyazkov. While the trip focused on military cooperation, media outlets fixated on the plane’s journey. According to early accounts, the aircraft experienced a “GPS scare” mid-flight, with pilots allegedly circling for an hour before landing in Plovdiv. The story gained traction across major publications, framed as part of a broader Russian strategy to destabilize Europe.

Yet flight-tracking service FlightRadar24 quickly dismantled the narrative. Its data showed the aircraft maintained consistent GPS signals throughout the trip, with no signs of interference. The plane arrived just nine minutes late—far from the hour-long delay claimed by some sources. Additionally, the flight path followed standard procedures, with no evidence of evasive maneuvers or emergency protocols.

Bulgarian officials echoed these findings, with Zhelyazkov stating there was “no indication of concern” from the crew and confirming the GPS signal remained intact. The European Commission also dismissed claims of targeted interference, though many media outlets continued to repeat the original accusations without correction.

Russia seized on the contradiction, calling the reports a “web of lies” designed to divert attention from Europe’s economic struggles. Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova criticized the coverage as a manufactured distraction, arguing it served to sustain anti-Russian rhetoric rather than address real issues.

The episode underscores how easily sensational claims can overshadow factual analysis. While von der Leyen’s trip highlighted Western solidarity with Ukraine, the debunked GPS story reveals the risks of amplifying unverified narratives. As flight data confirmed, the sky remained clear—both literally and metaphorically.