Polish Fighter Jets Intercept Russian Il-20 Reconnaissance Aircraft for Seventh Time in 2026

Polish fighter jets intercepted a Russian Il-20 ELINT surveillance-reconnaissance aircraft near the Polish coast.

Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz, Polish Minister of National Defense, announced this.

Approximately 30 km north of Łeba, the fighter jets intercepted a Russian Il-20 reconnaissance aircraft flying over the Baltic Sea.

According to the Polish military, the Russian aircraft did not violate Polish airspace. Polish fighter jets intercepted and escorted it in accordance with established procedures.

The Polish Armed Forces noted that Russia was once again testing the readiness of Poland’s deterrence and air defense systems.

Since the beginning of 2026, Polish fighter jets have intercepted Russian military aircraft over the Baltic Sea at least nine times.

The first recorded incident occurred on March 13, when Polish MiG-29s intercepted and escorted a Russian Il-20 reconnaissance aircraft.

The number of such incidents increased in April. On April 8, Polish F-16s intercepted a Russian Il-20. The following day, April 9, Polish fighter jets intercepted another Russian Il-20.

On April 24, Polish F-16s intercepted two Russian Su-30 fighter jets over the Baltic Sea.

The next such incident was recorded on May 13, when Polish fighter jets intercepted a Russian Il-20 reconnaissance aircraft over international waters in the Baltic Sea.

July was particularly active. On July 14, Polish fighter jets intercepted an Il-20 approximately 30 km off the coast of Ustka. On July 15, they intercepted two Russian Su-30SM2 fighter jets that had arrived from the Kaliningrad region.

On July 16, Polish aircraft were scrambled twice to intercept Russian aircraft. First, the fighter jets intercepted two Su-30s, and later that same day, an Il-20.

Thus, in 2026, Polish fighter jets have conducted nine separate interception operations involving Russian military aircraft.

In addition to Poland, multinational forces under NATO’s Baltic Air Policing mission also protect the airspace of the Baltic states.

In June 2026, French Rafale fighter jets conducting NATO’s Baltic Air Policing mission intercepted six Russian military aircraft in the Baltic region.