Russian Mi-8 helicopter briefly enters Polish airspace

Poland says a Russian Mi-8 helicopter briefly entered its airspace north of the settlement of Braniewo on September 23.

The Operational Command of the Polish Armed Forces said the helicopter had flown from Russia’s Kaliningrad Region and crossed about 300 metres into Polish airspace, where it remained for 42 seconds.

The helicopter was tracked by Polish military radar systems, while fighter jets were scrambled and ground forces were placed on standby.

The Polish command said the incident indicated that Russia was “once again” testing the readiness of Poland’s air defence.

Polish air defence crews remain on round-the-clock surveillance and at constant readiness to protect the country’s airspace.

By Aghakazim Guliyev