British fighter jets were scrambled to intercept a Russian IL-20 surveillance aircraft that violated Polish airspace over the Baltic Sea, Poland’s military announced today.
“Another interception of a Russian aircraft over the Baltic Sea, this time by two British fighter jets,” the Polish Ministry of Defense wrote on X.
The ministry stated that a Russian IL-20 aircraft entered two kilometers into Poland’s airspace over the Baltic Sea.
“This is another case of provocation to test the readiness systems of NATO states,” the Polish Ministry of Defense said.
The two British aircraft intercepted and identified the Russian plane, which then departed Polish airspace, the announcement added.
In February, Poland had reported a similar brief violation of its airspace over the Baltic by a Russian aircraft. Russian military aircraft frequently approach Polish airspace, where they are intercepted by NATO planes.
Poland, a member state of NATO and the European Union, is one of Ukraine’s closest allies and serves as a crucial logistical hub for Western military aid to Kyiv.
