2024-08-13 15:02 update: 2024-08-14, 15:11
Photo: PAP/Grzegorz Momot
An on-duty pair of Polish fighter jets intercepted a Russian IL-20 aircraft, which was performing a reconnaissance mission in international space over the Baltic Sea, the Operational Command of the Armed Forces (DORSZ) said.
DORSZ reported the incident in a post on the X platform on Tuesday.
"On August 12, 2024, an on-duty pair of Polish F-16s intercepted and visually identified a Russian Federation aircraft that was performing a flight over the Baltic Sea. Polish jets intercepted the IL-20 aircraft performing a reconnaissance mission in international airspace without violating Polish territorial waters," said the statement.
"Airspace security is one of the priorities of the Polish Army. Every day the pilots of the Polish Armed Forces are on alert and ready to ensure the protection of the Polish sky," it added.
"With the entire air defence system functioning smoothly, we can be sure that we are protected against airborne threats," DORSZ said.
Intercepting a foreign aircraft by military aviation involves approaching and establishing visual or radio contact with a foreign aircraft that, for example, is approaching the airspace of a country. Fighter pilots can thus identify the aircraft and direct it to a designated flight path and, in more serious situations, for example force it to land at a specific airport.
In recent months, incidents of interception of Russian aircraft in the Baltic Sea region by Polish or allied fighters have occurred several times. DORSZ last reported such a situation in May. Russian reconnaissance aircraft regularly operate over the Baltic Sea, taking off primarily from bases in the Konigsberg region.
Control of Russian aviation activity in the region is carried out by the NATO Baltic Air Policing mission, under which allied aircraft from bases in Malbork, Lithuania's Siauliai and Estonia's Amari patrol the space over the Baltic States and the Baltic Sea itself. (PAP)
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