Polish jets intercept Russian reconnaissance aircraft over Baltic Sea
Photo: Poland intercepts Russian Il-20 reconnaissance plane over the Baltic Sea (Getty Images)
Polish fighter jets intercepted a Russian Il-20 aircraft conducting reconnaissance in international airspace over the Baltic Sea, according to Reuters.
"Polish fighter jets intercepted an Il-20 aircraft conducting a reconnaissance mission in international airspace, without a filed flight plan and with its transponder turned off. The aircraft did not violate Polish airspace," stated the Operational Command of the Polish Armed Forces.
After the incident, the spokesman for the operational command of the Polish army, Jacek Goryszewski, said that Poland is closely monitoring to ensure that the country’s airspace is not violated.
Russian aircraft interceptions
It should be recalled that Russian military planes have repeatedly violated the airspace of NATO countries.
For example, on October 21, Norway scrambled its F-35 fighter jets to intercept a Russian Il-20 reconnaissance aircraft. Residents of one of the northern Norwegian cities reported hearing explosions.
Additionally, in September, Russia sent three of its MiG-31s into Estonian airspace. Such aircraft are capable of carrying Kinzhal hypersonic missiles. According to media reports, the Russian planes flew very close to Tallinn.
Against this backdrop, NATO allies held consultations under Article 4 of the North Atlantic Treaty. In the final statement, the Alliance emphasized that such Russian provocations endanger human lives. At the same time, NATO assured that it would use all necessary means for self-defense.
