A Polish MiG-29 escorted the Russian Ilyushin IL-20. (symbol image)Image: keystone
Mar 16, 2026, 4:48 p.mMar 16, 2026, 4:48 p.m
Polish Air Force fighter jets have again intercepted a Russian reconnaissance aircraft over the Baltic Sea.
The Ilyushin IL-20 aircraft was escorted on Friday by two Polish MiG-29 fighter jets, the High Command of the Polish Armed Forces said on Platform X. It also posted a photo of the machine over the sea.
W piątek, 13 marca 2026 roku para dyżurna myśliwców MiG-29 Sił Powietrznych dokonała skutecznego przechwycenia, identyfikacji wizualnej oraz eskortowania z rejonu odpowiedzialności samolotu Federacji Rosyjskiej, który wykonywał lot nad Morzem Bałtyckim.
Polskie myśliwce… pic.twitter.com/c0pSS7bctr
— Dowództwo Operacyjne RSZ (@DowOperSZ) March 16, 2026
The statement went on to say that the Russian reconnaissance aircraft was traveling in international airspace without a flight plan and with the transponder switched off. The Polish pilots intercepted the foreign aircraft, identified it and escorted it until it left their area of responsibility. The airspace over Poland was therefore not violated. According to the information, this was the ninth such incident since the beginning of the year.
Interception in the air
According to the German Air Force, a mid-air interception occurs when fighter jets fly close to a foreign aircraft that is behaving suspiciously. The fighter jet pilots maintain visual contact and make certain gestures.
There is no pushing away or dangerous maneuvers. A NATO country’s Quick Reaction Alert (QRA) can be triggered when a foreign aircraft approaches its airspace and violates normal behavior. (sda/dpa)