Poland intercepts Russian reconnaissance aircraft over Baltic Sea again

Polish F-16 fighter jets have intercepted a Russian Il-20 reconnaissance aircraft over the Baltic Sea for the second time in two days, according to Poland’s Defence Minister Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz.

The Operational Command of the Polish Armed Forces stated that the aircraft did not enter Polish airspace but was flying without a filed flight plan and with its transponder turned off, Kosiniak-Kamysz said on the social media platform X.

Wieczorem para dyżurna naszych samolotów F-16 dokonała kolejnego w tym tygodniu przechwycenia rosyjskiego samolotu rozpoznawczego Ił-20, wykonującego loty nad Morzem Bałtyckim. Prowokacyjne działania Federacji Rosyjskiej testują nasze systemy obrony powietrznej.
Dzięki stałej… pic.twitter.com/udogzj0R7R

— Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz (@KosiniakKamysz) April 9, 2026

The minister described the incident as a provocation by Russia aimed at testing Poland’s air defence systems.

“Thanks to the constant combat readiness of pilots, soldiers and ground personnel, Polish airspace remains safe. The armed forces are ready for immediate response and defence of airspace every day,” the defence minister wrote.

Poland had previously intercepted a Russian aircraft over the Baltic Sea in a similar incident.