ICAO Condemns Russia for GNSS Jamming, Citing Aviation Safety Risks
The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) has issued a formal resolution condemning Russia for its ongoing interference with Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) signals across Europe. The resolution, adopted during ICAO’s 42nd Assembly, asserts that Russia’s jamming and spoofing activities pose a serious threat to international civil aviation safety, violate the principles of the Chicago Convention, and must cease immediately.
“Flight safety is a shared global responsibility,” said Lithuanian Minister of Transport and Communications Juras Taminskas. “The international aviation community has made it clear that interference with GNSS signals cannot be tolerated. We call on Russia to immediately stop such actions to safeguard the reliability and security of global aviation operations.”
Marius Baranauskas, Director of Lithuania’s Transport Competence Agency, added that the interference “poses a direct and unacceptable threat to flight safety” and undermines confidence in international air navigation systems.
The ICAO resolution stresses that deliberate GNSS jamming and spoofing from Russian territory compromise the integrity of aviation navigation systems used by civilian aircraft, particularly during critical flight phases such as takeoff and landing. The interference can lead to route deviations, operational disruptions, and increased risks during poor weather conditions—threatening both passenger safety and the efficient use of international airspace.
ICAO called on Russia to honor its obligations under the Chicago Convention and international law by immediately ceasing these activities and taking steps to prevent further interference. The organization reaffirmed that maintaining uninterrupted satellite-based navigation signals is essential to global aviation safety and coordination.
Countries across the Baltic, Eastern, and Northern European regions—including Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, Poland, Finland, and Sweden—have reported persistent GNSS disruptions since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. The situation has worsened in recent months, with widespread impacts on civilian air traffic and regional safety monitoring systems.
In June, the ICAO Council formally determined that Russia’s actions were inconsistent with international law, based on data and reports from affected nations. Lithuania subsequently led a joint initiative by 14 European Union member states, urging the European Commission to strengthen radio frequency monitoring and enhance coordination between EU and NATO members to track and mitigate GNSS interference.
ICAO, a specialized agency of the United Nations with 193 member states, continues to lead global efforts to ensure the safe, secure, and efficient operation of international civil aviation. Notably, during the same assembly in Montreal, Russia failed to secure re-election to the ICAO Council.
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Sources: AirGuide Business airguide.info, bing.com, baltictimes.com