Polish Fighters Intercept Russian Reconnaissance Aircraft Over the Baltic Sea
Polish fighters intercepted a Russian Il-20 reconnaissance aircraft over the Baltic Sea. This was announced on social network X by Poland's Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defence, Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz.
According to the Polish minister, the incident occurred on August 3rd, approximately 60 kilometers northwest of the city of Łeba. The Russian aircraft was in international airspace and did not violate Poland's state border.
Kosiniak-Kamysz noted that the Il-20 was flying without a pre-filed flight plan and with its transponder switched off — a device that transmits aircraft data to air traffic control services and other aircraft. Such practice significantly complicates the identification of aircraft and control over flight safety.
Duty Polish fighters were scrambled to escort the Russian aircraft. According to Kosiniak-Kamysz, the Polish Armed Forces constantly monitor the situation in the region and are ready to respond to similar incidents.
This is not the first such incident recently. According to the Polish side, similar interceptions of Russian aircraft over the Baltic Sea occurred on July 31st, July 14th, May 13th, and April 9th of this year, as well as in October 2025.
Poland believes that regular flights of Russian reconnaissance aircraft without activated identification means increase tension in the region and cause concern among NATO countries. Earlier, Prime Minister Donald Tusk and Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski had already stated the possible risks of provocations from Russia towards the alliance's states.
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