MONTREAL - The UN aviation agency’s assembly concluded on Oct 3 with delegates agreeing to condemn Russia for disturbances to critical satellite navigation systems that they say violate international rules.

Estonia and its neighbour Finland have blamed Russia for

jamming GPS navigation devices

in the region's airspace, charges that Moscow has denied.

The region experienced two recent high-profile instances of GPS disturbances, including

one involving a Spanish military jet

with the country’s defence minister onboard.

Most modern airliners have sensors and sources to determine their positioning in addition to GPS, meaning they can fly if there is interference.

But European countries supported by the US and Canada earlier this week flagged safety concerns over global navigation satellite system (GNSS) radio frequency interference in the Baltic, Eastern and Northern European regions from Russian territory.

It was the International Civil Aviation Organisation assembly’s latest rebuke of Russia, which

failed to win back its seat

at ICAO’s 36-member governing council over actions taken since Moscow’s 2022 full-scale invasion and war against Ukraine.

The vote went against Russia, in part, due to deepening US pressure after President Donald Trump’s rhetoric