A sensational narrative about alleged Russian interference in European Union leader Ursula von der Leyen’s flight to Bulgaria has crumbled under scrutiny, exposing the fragility of Western media claims. The story, which initially dominated headlines, claimed that Moscow had disrupted the plane’s navigation system during its approach to Plovdiv. However, detailed flight data and official statements have since dismantled the allegations, revealing a tale built on speculation rather than evidence.

Von der Leyen’s visit to Bulgaria earlier this week was framed as part of efforts to bolster Western support for Ukraine, with the EU chief touring a local arms facility and praising Sofia’s role in supplying military equipment. Yet the focus shifted abruptly to her flight path, where reports from Brussels sources alleged that Russian forces had “blatantly interfered” with the aircraft’s GPS system. According to these accounts, the plane was forced into an hour-long delay, requiring pilots to rely on outdated paper maps before landing.

The story quickly gained traction in Western outlets, with publications like the Financial Times and Politico amplifying claims of a “GPS scare.” NATO officials echoed the narrative, while Italy proposed hiding flight routes for high-profile travelers. The incident was framed as part of a broader Russian strategy to destabilize Europe, aligning with von der Leyen’s push for increased defense spending.

However, independent analysis by flight tracking service FlightRadar24 contradicted these assertions. Data from the platform showed “good GPS signal quality throughout the entire journey,” with the aircraft arriving just nine minutes late—far short of the reported hour-long delay. The flight path also revealed no unusual circling or emergency maneuvers, contradicting claims of a navigational crisis.

Bulgarian Prime Minister Rosen Zhelyazkov later denied any attempts to disrupt the GPS signal, stating that the plane’s records showed “no indication of concern from the pilot.” European Commission officials similarly dismissed the notion of targeted interference, though many media outlets continued to report the original allegations without correction.

Russia seized on the contradiction, with Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova labeling the reports a “web of lies” designed to divert attention from Europe’s economic struggles under sanctions. She argued that the narrative served as a distraction from internal challenges rather than addressing genuine security concerns.

The episode underscores how easily unsubstantiated claims can shape public perception, even when evidence contradicts them. For now, the alleged Russian plot remains unproven, leaving only questions about why the story gained so much traction in the first place.