Poland strengthens airspace protection after Russian provocations

Poland is expanding protection of its airspace after two recent interceptions of Russian Il-20 reconnaissance aircraft over the Baltic Sea.

Defense Minister Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz said Poland would increase the activity of its air force, including F-16 fighter jets and helicopters. He wrote on X that recent weeks had shown that Russian provocations were taking different forms and threatening places previously considered safe.

On Thursday, Polish fighters intercepted a Russian Il-20 about 40 kilometers north of Ustka. The aircraft had not activated its identification equipment and posed a risk to civil aviation, according to the report. Poland’s airspace was not breached.

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After the latest Russian provocations and acts of aggression, I decided to expand the protection of our airspace. We are increasing the activity of our air force, including F-16 fighter jets and helicopters.

Polish fighters had also intercepted an Il-20 about 30 kilometers from Łeba earlier in the week. That aircraft, too, had not entered Polish airspace. Russian reconnaissance planes regularly fly over the Baltic Sea with their transponders switched off and without submitting flight plans, making identification more difficult and disrupting civilian air traffic control.

Kosiniak-Kamysz said the Polish military was continuously monitoring the situation near the eastern border. Systems across the country are also being strengthened to respond rapidly to threats.

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Russian provocations are taking various forms and threaten places that until now were considered safe.