Yeah, I was wondering if the "paper maps" reporting was a bit of sensationalist reporting from someone not really that familiar with aviation. The headline does kind of imply there was mass chaos in the air as the pilots scrambled to unlock the 'break in case of emergency' box of PAPER MAPS!
With that being said (I haven't flown in over 10 years-so not up to speed on the degree to which US, and def not European, airspace/airfields have transitioned away from ground-based radio navaids), it seems that maybe Europe has VOR/TACAN routes/approaches in a more limited/backup/emergency role than US airspace? (just my uninformed perception, based off of limited searching around). Asking bc the EU countries have been big mad at RUS for a while bc GPS jamming/spoofing has been a continual problem for aviation/shipping (near RUS border and throughout Baltic Sea). It seems they've been protesting/ wagging their fingers at RUS for a while, but obviously the rooskies don't give a shit. Any validity to my perception of US vs European airspace?
I'm guessing the EU Commissioner's office sought maximum press coverage of the incident to highlight the problem (maybe stoking the narrative that they had to circle for an hour and also find THE PAPER MAPS!)