Polish fighters intercept Russian reconnaissance plane 30 km from the coast

Polish fighter jets intercepted a Russian Il-20 reconnaissance aircraft over the Baltic Sea, roughly 30 kilometers from Poland’s coast.

Defense Minister Wladyslaw Kosiniak-Kamysz said the aircraft flew north of Leba and remained over international waters. It did not enter Polish airspace. He wrote on X that Russia had once again tested Poland’s deterrence and air defense systems.

The Il-20 is a military intelligence aircraft used to gather information about radars, communications and air defense systems. Polish authorities have reported several similar incidents in recent months. In July, Polish fighters intercepted Russian aircraft on three consecutive days, including Il-20 reconnaissance planes and Su-30 fighters. Further Il-20 interceptions occurred later in July and again over two days in early August.

None of those aircraft entered Polish airspace. Such encounters have become more frequent since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Russian military planes often fly near NATO airspace without filing flight plans or activating transponders, prompting Polish and allied fighters to identify and monitor them. NATO also tracks Russian military activity through its Baltic air-policing mission.

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