Polish fighter jets intercept Russian spy plane over Baltic Sea again

Poland says its fighter jets intercepted a Russian IL-20 reconnaissance aircraft over the Baltic Sea after the aircraft flew without a registered flight plan and with its transponder switched off.

Defense Minister Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz said the interception took place around midday, about 30 kilometers north of Łeba. The aircraft was identified visually, and Poland said it did not enter Polish airspace.

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Russia has once again tested our deterrence and air defense systems.

The minister wrote on X that “Russia has once again tested our deterrence and air defense systems.” He added: “There was no violation of our airspace over the Baltic Sea.”

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There was no violation of our airspace over the Baltic Sea.

The aircraft’s inactive transponder made civilian air traffic management more difficult by hiding information such as its identification code, altitude and intended route, according to the Polish Press Agency. The incident adds to a series of similar encounters. Polish MiG-29s intercepted an IL-20 in March, while Polish F-16s and French Rafale jets intercepted another Russian IL-20 near the Polish coast on April 8. Poland also intercepted two Russian Su-30 fighters on April 23.

Several further incidents occurred in July and August. Polish F-16s intercepted Russian IL-20 aircraft near Łeba and Koszalin, while other Russian aircraft reportedly came from the Kaliningrad base. On July 30, an IL-20 was intercepted a day after a Russian cruise missile violated Polish airspace. On Aug. 3 and 4, Poland intercepted additional IL-20 aircraft in the same wider area. Kosiniak-Kamysz previously described the activity as “provocative in nature.”

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Provocative in nature