Polish fighter jets intercepted a Russian reconnaissance aircraft over the Baltic Sea, which was flying near its airspace, the NATO member country’s military said on Thursday.
Eastern NATO countries have remained on high alert for possible airspace incursions since September, when three Russian military aircraft violated Estonian airspace for 12 minutes, just days after more than 20 Russian drones entered Polish airspace, Reuters reported via Gazeta Express.
“This morning, over international waters of the Baltic Sea, Polish fighter jets intercepted, visually identified, and escorted a Russian reconnaissance aircraft flying near the borders of Polish airspace from their area of responsibility,” the military said.
It also reported that at night, objects entering Polish airspace from the direction of Belarus were observed.
“After detailed analysis, it was determined that these were most likely contraband balloons moving according to wind direction and speed,” the military added.
Additionally, part of the airspace over the Podlaskie region in northeastern Poland, which borders Belarus, was temporarily closed to civilian traffic to maintain safety.
