On Tuesday 28 October, Polish MiG‑29 fighters intercepted a Russian Ilyushin IL‑20 conducting a reconnaissance flight over the Baltic Sea, never entering Polish airspace.
Polish MiG‑29s intercept Russian IL‑20 over the Baltic
On Tuesday 28 October, a pair of MiG‑29 fighters on standby intercepted a Russian Ilyushin IL‑20 conducting a reconnaissance flight over international airspace above the Baltic Sea. The aircraft had no flight plan and its transponder was switched off, and it never entered Polish airspace.
Official statement: Forces remain on high readiness
In a statement, the Polish Operational Command of the Armed Forces emphasized that the operation was swift, effective and safe thanks to high combat readiness, pilot professionalism and the efficient air‑defence system. The Armed Forces remain on constant readiness to respond to any threat and protect Polish airspace sovereignty.
Pattern of Russian aircraft incursions near Poland
Reports of Russian aircraft operating close to the Polish border recur regularly. In June, German fighter jets intercepted a Russian spy plane that departed from Kaliningrad and flew westward into Poland’s and Germany’s international airspace without a transponder or radio contact. Earlier, in April, Swedish jets seized a Russian IL‑20 near the Polish border, accompanied by RAF pilots.