Russian reconnaissance plane’s flight triggers stepped-up air defense for Poland

Polish fighter jets intercepted a Russian II-20 flying over the Baltic Sea in the vicinity of the country, and a similar incident happened earlier in the week. A Russian Il-20 reconnaissance aircraft flies over the Baltic Sea in this undated photo. Polish fighter jets scrambled to intercept a similar aircraft Sept. 3, 2026, after it flew near Poland’s coast with its identification equipment switched off, the 10th such intercept this year. (Polish Armed Forces) Poland is stepping up aerial defensive maneuvers in the wake of recent Russian reconnaissance flights near its territory, the country’s defense ministry said Friday. The move comes after Polish fighter jets on Thursday intercepted a Russian II-20 flying over the Baltic Sea in the vicinity of the country.

A similar incident happened on Monday. “Following the latest Russian provocations and acts of aggression, I have made the decision to expand the protection of our airspace,” Polish Defense Minister Wladyslaw Kosiniak-Kamysz said in a statement on X. “We are increasing the activity of our air forces, including F-16 aircraft and helicopters.” The intercept of the Russian reconnaissance plane occurred about 25 miles north of Ustka. Although it did not enter Polish airspace, the aircraft was flying with its transponder off, which posed a threat to civil aviation, Kosiniak-Kamysz said. Thursday’s encounter was at least the fourth such