NATO has again scrambled fighter jets to intercept a Russian aircraft over the Baltic Sea, with Polish pilots carrying out the operation. The Russian Il-20 plane was conducting a reconnaissance mission in international airspace when it was detected without a filed flight plan and with its transponder switched off.
According to the Polish Operational Command of the Armed Forces, the on-duty pair of Air Force fighters successfully intercepted, visually identified, and escorted the aircraft away from the area of responsibility. The aircraft did not violate Polish airspace, and the Polish air force said it remains in constant readiness to respond to every threat and protect the sovereignty of Polish airspace.
A spokesperson for the Polish Operational Command wrote on X that interceptions of this kind are a standard element of the airspace security system, aimed at identifying and monitoring objects that do not comply with international aviation procedures. The spokesperson added that these actions enable ongoing assessment of the situation and maintenance of safety in the airspace.
The Baltic Sea is frequently described by military experts as Europe's key strategic sea, bordered by eight NATO members and Russia. The latest incident comes amid heightened tensions between the alliance and Moscow.
Last month, the United Kingdom intercepted a Russian plane over the Norwegian Sea. The Ministry of Defence said a Russian Bear F maritime patrol aircraft had repeatedly approached the carrier strike group in an unsafe and unprofessional manoeuvre, dropping a large number of sonobuoys near HMS Prince of Wales, the first European aircraft carrier conducting NATO air defence operations with F-35 jets.
The Russian aircraft was intercepted and escorted by two UK F-35 jets from HMS Prince of Wales until it left the area. A Ministry of Defence spokesperson described the Russian activity as unsafe and unprofessional.
