Polish fighter jets intercept Russian reconnaissance plane over Baltic Sea

Polish fighter jets intercepted a Russian reconnaissance aircraft over the Baltic Sea last week after it was detected flying without a flight plan or active transponder, according to Poland’s military.

The Polish Armed Forces Operational Command said the aircraft — identified as an Ilyushin Il?20 surveillance plane belonging to the Russian Federation — was carrying out its ninth reconnaissance mission of the year in international airspace when it was intercepted.

Two Mikoyan-Gurevitch MiG?29 fighters from the Polish Air Force were scrambled to intercept the aircraft. The jets visually identified and escorted the Russian plane out of Poland’s area of responsibility, the command said, adding that Polish airspace was not violated.

Polish officials noted that Russian military aircraft operating near NATO borders often fly without filing flight plans and with transponders switched off, making them harder to identify remotely and complicating the work of civilian air traffic controllers.

The interception occurred in a strategically sensitive region where several NATO members — including Poland, Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania — border the Baltic Sea. The Russian exclave of Kaliningrad is also located along the same coastline.

According to the Polish military, the interception was conducted “quickly, professionally and safely” thanks to the readiness of its air defence forces and the experience of its pilots.