Polish fighter jets intercepted a Russian Il-20 aircraft about 40 kilometres off the coast of Poland.
This was reported by Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz, according to the Onet portal.
According to Kosiniak-Kamysz, Russia regularly tests NATO’s eastern flank, so similar events over the Baltic have become part of ongoing pressure rather than isolated incidents.
The head of the defence ministry stressed that Polish forces monitor the airspace around the clock and remain fully ready to respond.
- Such interceptions are almost routine for the Polish side.
- For example, at the beginning of August, two Polish fighter jets intercepted a Russian Il-20M reconnaissance aircraft over the Baltic Sea. The Russian aircraft was flying in international airspace without an approved flight plan and with its transponder switched off.
- At the end of the month, Polish fighter jets again intercepted a Russian Il-20 reconnaissance aircraft in the Baltic Sea about 30 km off the coast of Poland.