Polish Fighter Jets Intercept Russian Spy Plane Over Baltic Sea

WARSAW, Poland – Polish F-16 fighter jets intercepted a Russian Il-20 reconnaissance aircraft over the Baltic Sea on Monday, marking the latest in a series of similar incidents.

The Russian plane was flying in international airspace about 60 kilometers off Poland's northern coast, near the town of Łeba. Defense Minister Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz said the aircraft was flying without a registered flight plan and with its transponder switched off.

A pair of Polish F-16 fighters on duty were scrambled to intercept the plane. The Polish pilots visually identified the aircraft and escorted it out of the area. The Polish military confirmed that Russian aircraft did not enter Polish airspace.

"The Polish Armed Forces continuously monitor the situation and take action to protect the country's borders," the defense minister said. He described such flights as "another aggressive action" by Russia and a test of Poland's air defense systems.

The Il-20 is a Russian electronic intelligence aircraft used to collect signals and monitor military activity. Such aircraft are frequently deployed near NATO airspace to gather intelligence on exercises and troop movements.

The interception comes just days after Polish F-16s intercepted another Russian Il-20 about 40 kilometers north of the coastal city of Kołobrzeg. Russian reconnaissance flights near Poland's coast have become increasingly common since Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022.

Polish forces remain on constant standby to respond quickly to any threats to the country's airspace.