Polish F-16 fighter jets intercepted two Russian Su-30 aircraft over the Baltic Sea on Friday, prompting a pledge of immediate NATO response.
Baltic Interception
Polish F-16 aircraft intercepted two Russian Su-30 planes over the Baltic Sea, according to Deputy Minister of National Defence Cezary Tomczyk.
Tomczyk stated that any violation of Polish security will meet with an immediate reaction from NATO.
NATO Response Commitment
Tomczyk emphasized on platform X that any security breach of Poland or the region will be met with an immediate NATO response.
Recent Russian Activity
In early April, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defence Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz reported that Polish F-16s intercepted a Russian Il-20 reconnaissance aircraft flying over the Baltic Sea.
He assessed that “provocative actions by the Russian Federation are testing our air defence systems.”
Recurring Incidents
Similar incidents have occurred several times in recent months; the Armed Forces General Command reported three such incidents within a week last autumn.
Russian reconnaissance aircraft regularly fly over the Baltic Sea with transponders turned off and without filed flight plans, hindering identification and air traffic control.
Interception Procedures
When intercepting foreign aircraft over international waters, identification is prioritized through optoelectronic systems, visual contact, potential communication, and escorting the aircraft outside Polish airspace.
Baltic Air Policing Mission
The NATO Baltic Air Policing mission, involving Polish and allied aircraft, patrols airspace over the Baltic states and the Baltic Sea to monitor Russian aviation activity in the region.
