Polish fighter jets intercepted a Russian plane over the Baltic Sea
On Monday, October 28, a pair of Polish MiG-29 fighters were picked up in order to intercept and identify an unidentified aircraft that had been detected over the Baltic Sea. According to the Operational Command of the Armed Forces (DORSZ), it was a Russian Il-20 reconnaissance aircraft belonging to the Air Force of the Russian Federation.
The Russian plane operated in international airspace, but – as the Command emphasized – it flew without a reported flight plan, with the transponder turned off and without contact with civilian air traffic control. Such behavior is typical for Russian reconnaissance flights in the Baltic Sea region, but poses a potential threat to the security of civilian air traffic.
After detecting the object, a pair of MiG-29 fighters from the 61st Tactical Air Base in Krzesiny was sent to identify it. As part of NATO's Qick Reaction Alert (QRA) rapid response mission, the fighters visually identified the Russian aircraft and escorted it until it left Polish's area of responsibility. The Operational Command confirmed that the entire operation was carried out in accordance with NATO procedures and that there was no violation of Polish airspace.
Similar incidents occur regularly in the Baltic Sea region. In recent years, increased activity of Russian aircraft has been observed, especially near the airspace of NATO member states Polish, Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia. The flights of Russian aircraft, in particular the Il-20, are part of reconnaissance and electronic warfare activities, the purpose of which is to collect data on the defence systems of NATO member states.
The Ministry of National Defence emphasizes that such incidents show how important it is to maintain high combat readiness of the Polish Air Force and the effectiveness of the NATO response system. Polish pilots, who are on combat duty both in the country and as part of the Baltic Air Policing mission, are prepared to respond immediately to any potential security breaches in the region's airspace.
The significance of these kinds of incidents goes beyond just capturing and recognizing the target. As indicated by Maj. Gen. Jacek Pszczoła, Alioth Foundation expert:
"Our pilots, taking off on MiG-29 aircraft from combat duty to intercept and reconnaissance an unidentified aerial object, once again proved a high level of training, effectively intercepting the target and recognizing it. It should be emphasized that the entire NATO integrated air and missile defence system, under which Polish pilots on MiG-29 and F-16 aircraft perform permanent combat duty, has fulfilled its task excellently and performs it continuously every day of the year. I assure you - all those who in any way perform combat duty: the personnel of air bases, radio technical troops, navigators of guidance points and the staff of the Air Operations Center - serve every day with the utmost commitment and professionalism."
According to DORSZ, the Polish Air Force remains on full alert and the safety of Polish skies is constantly monitored.
Photo: Dowództwo Operacyjne Rodzajów Sił Zbrojnych, x.com
This article was prepared as part of the public task commissioned under the Government Programme for the Development of Civic Organizations 2018–2030: “Safe Poland of Tomorrow – strengthening the mission-driven activities of the Alioth Foundation.”
