Poland Intercepts Russian Aircraft over Baltic Sea

The Polish air force intercepted a Russian Ilyushin Il-20 reconnaissance aircraft over the Baltic Sea after Warsaw said the plane was flying without a flight plan and with its transponders switched off.

The Polish military said the aircraft remained in international airspace and did not violate Polish territory, but described the incident as a provocation and a security risk.

Defense Minister Wladyslaw Kosiniak-Kamysz called it another aggressive move by Russia and a test of Poland's air defense systems, adding that Polish fighter jets would respond immediately to such situations.

The Polish military also said it had temporarily activated air operations and radar systems as a precautionary measure in response to Russian attacks on Ukraine.

(reuters, mja)