GNSS disruptions caused by Russia are increasing across the Baltic Sea region, impacting satellite navigation systems for aviation and maritime vessels following Ukrainian drone strikes on Russian Baltic ports.
- Interference originates primarily from sources in Kaliningrad and St. Petersburg.
- While widespread in Finland, Tallinn Airport remains largely unaffected due to the curvature of the Earth.
- Aviation safety is maintained through secondary radar, multilateration (MLAT), and ground-based landing systems.
Impact on Baltic Aviation
Satellite navigation disruptions have extended across nearly all of Finland, including Helsinki-Vantaa airport. However, these disruptions have not affected Tallinn Airport due to technical reasons related to how radio waves spread.
The interference travels in straight lines from source stations. At lower altitudes in Estonia, these signals remain hidden behind the curve of the Earth, though they impact aircraft at higher altitudes.
Authorities report that while GNSS interference has become a daily reality and is increasing over time, it has not compromised flight safety. Air traffic controllers and pilots have adapted their operations to ensure flights remain secure.
Safety Systems and Mitigation
Aviation relies on multiple navigation systems beyond GPS. Air traffic controllers monitor aircraft using secondary radar and MLAT (multilateration), which continuously calculate positions regardless of GNSS interference.
When pilots doubt their position due to interference, controllers provide assistance by vectoring aircraft using magnetic headings. For final approaches, the Instrument Landing System (ILS)—a ground-based system—is used to guide aircraft to the runway.
To prevent accidents caused by interference, a 5-kilometer no-fly zone has been established near Estonia’s eastern border.
Regional Vulnerabilities and GNSS Disruptions
Despite safety redundancies, some vulnerabilities remain. Estonia possesses a limited radio navigation network with only one VOR beacon in use, making traditional radio navigation less reliable across the country.
Smaller aircraft are particularly vulnerable as they lack inertial navigation systems and rely heavily on GNSS. Additionally, airfields that depend solely on satellite-based approach systems, such as Pärnu Airport and Kärdla Airport, may be affected.
In such cases, aircraft may be redirected to Tallinn Airport, which utilizes a ground-based ILS system that does not depend on satellite signals.
Maritime Interference and Environmental Factors
Warnings have been issued to vessels operating in the Gulf of Finland, advising mariners to determine their positions using traditional nautical charts.
Interference is strongest at high altitudes and on the seawater surface in the eastern part of the Gulf of Finland. Warmer water temperatures create favorable conditions that allow these disruptions to spread more effectively across the surface.
Currently, no GNSS disruptions have been detected in Estonian territorial waters outside of the Gulf of Finland.
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