Satellite navigation jamming increases in Gulf of Finland following Ukrainian airstrikes on Russia

Satellite navigation interference, known as GNSS jamming, has intensified in the Gulf of Finland, according to the Finnish Border Guard’s Gulf of Finland Coastal Division. The disruption has been particularly notable in the eastern Gulf of Finland and near the city of Hamina.

Ilja Iljin, deputy commander of the Gulf of Finland Coastal Division, confirmed that jamming incidents have risen above normal levels in recent times, coinciding with Ukraine’s airstrikes on Russian territory. “Weather conditions also affect the detection of interference,” Iljin noted, though he did not provide an exact count of reported cases, as records are maintained by the Finnish Transport and Communications Agency (Traficom). “We can speak of multiple instances,” he added.

Russia has directed jamming toward the Gulf of Finland region during Ukraine’s airstrikes. Finland’s Security Intelligence Service (Supo) has suggested that three Ukrainian drones found in southeastern Finland may have been misdirected due to Russian GNSS interference.

Iljin reported that continuous jamming in the eastern Gulf of Finland has been observed since early 2023. In response to recent drone sightings, the Coastal Division has intensified operations, including a current exercise off Kotka focusing on drone defense and artillery training. The drill is scheduled to conclude on Thursday.