(Dan Tri) – Russia’s alleged jamming of the satellite signal of the plane carrying the British Defense Minister earlier this week, if confirmed, would be Moscow’s latest action to challenge NATO’s red lines.
Soldiers driving Leopard 2A6 tanks during a military exercise of Sweden and Finland on March 9 (Photo: AFP).
Reuters on March 14, citing well-informed sources, said that the plane carrying Defense Minister Grant Shapps from Poland to the UK had signal jamming while traveling over Russian territory.
`GPS satellite signals were blocked for about 30 minutes as Mr. Shapps’ plane traveled over the Kaliningrad region of Russia. Mobile phones were also unable to connect to the internet during this time, and the flight crew was forced to use other methods.
An unnamed MoD source said the Royal Air Force was `well prepared to deal with this problem`, but said such incidents would pose `unnecessary risks to
The British Ministry of Defense and the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs have not yet officially commented on the above information.
The incident is not the first, nor the most serious, when a NATO member minister faces danger due to Russian military action.
Last month, a Russian missile exploded near the convoy of Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis while he was visiting the Ukrainian port city of Odessa with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.
Moscow has repeatedly stated clearly that the presence of important figures in Ukraine does not affect its `special military campaign`.
In April 2022, Russia raided Ukraine’s capital Kiev while United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres was visiting the city.
Russia also warned that any foreign military advisors and weapons present in Ukraine could become the target of their legal attack.
Russian President Vladimir Putin announced the opening of a `special military operation` in Ukraine from February 24, 2022 with a statement to `demilitarize and de-fascize` the Kiev government.
Speaking at the meeting of the Russian Security Council on March 15, President Putin affirmed that the Russian army is gradually achieving the goals set in this campaign, gaining the initiative on the battlefield.
Previously, he said that Russia is ready to negotiate to end the conflict with Ukraine if there are security guarantees and any peace talks must be based on the actual situation.
Vice Chairman of the Russian National Security Council Dmitry Medvedev this week outlined Russia’s peace formula, which requires Ukraine to surrender, pay adequate compensation to Russia, and recognize Moscow’s control over the region.