NATO member Poland scrambled fighter jets to intercept a Russian spy plane conducting a reconnaissance mission over the Baltic Sea on Wednesday, the country’s military said.
Poland’s Operational Command said a Russian Il-20 surveillance-reconnaissance aircraft was detected in international airspace without a filed flight plan and with its transponder turned off.
It added that a pair of Polish F-16 fighter jets were deployed and carried out a “successful interception, visual identification” of the aircraft, before escorting it out of the area.
“Interceptions of aircraft do not constitute a demonstration of force, but are one of the basic tools for ensuring real control over a state’s airspace,” the operational command said. “Their purpose is the rapid identification of objects that do not respond to calls from air traffic services, move without the required flight plan, or violate applicable rules.”
It added: “Thanks to the interception procedure, it is possible to immediately determine the nature of the flight, assess potential threats, and—if necessary—take corrective actions, such as changing course or directing the aircraft to land. These actions help limit the risk of incidents and ensure the safety of both civil aviation and critical infrastructure.”
This is a developing story. More to follow.
