Poland intercepts Russian aircraft over Baltic Sea, calls flight a provocation

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Warsaw: Poland’s military scrambled fighter jets to intercept a Russian reconnaissance aircraft operating over the Baltic Sea on Wednesday, labeling the encounter a deliberate ‘provocation.’

The Polish Operational Command confirmed that the Russian Il-20 plane was intercepted by F-16 jets after it entered international airspace without a flight plan. Military officials stated that the Russian craft did not violate Polish sovereign airspace, but its proximity and behavior required an immediate tactical response to ensure regional security.

The interception highlights rising tensions between NATO members and Moscow along the alliance’s eastern flank. Polish authorities described the flight as part of a recurring pattern of Russian military activity designed to test NATO's rapid-response capabilities and maritime surveillance.

The Polish military maintained that all procedures were followed to neutralize the potential threat. Following the identification and monitoring process, the Russian aircraft continued its flight toward the Kaliningrad exclave without further incident.