Poland’s military said on Oct. 30 that two MiG-29 fighter jets intercepted a Russian Il-20 reconnaissance aircraft flying over the Baltic Sea without a filed flight plan or active transponder.
🔴Polish MiG-29 Fighters were scrambled to intercept a Russian Il-20M reconnaissance aircraft over the Baltic Sea pic.twitter.com/XE3AEl6wyK
— Conflict Radar (@Conflict_Radar) October 30, 2025
The plane did not violate Polish airspace and was escorted away. The interception marks the second such incident this week, following a similar encounter on Oct. 28.
The Soviet-designed Ilyushin Il-20, still used by Russia for electronic surveillance, has become a recurring presence in the region’s tense skies. NATO forces regularly scramble jets in response to unidentified or suspicious Russian aircraft flying near alliance borders.
🇵🇱Polish MiG-29 fighter jets intercepted another Russian reconnaissance aircraft over the Baltic Sea this week, — Ukrainska Pravda pic.twitter.com/8G2Zbkv6lX
— ZMiST (@ZMiST_Ua) October 30, 2025
Recent months have seen escalating encounters, with Poland, Estonia, and Lithuania reporting drone and aircraft intrusions. Warsaw downed several Russian drones in September.
🇵🇱Polish MiG-29 fighter jets intercepted another Russian reconnaissance aircraft over the Baltic Sea this week, — Ukrainska Pravda pic.twitter.com/8G2Zbkv6lX
— ZMiST (@ZMiST_Ua) October 30, 2025
The repeated provocations have heightened NATO-Moscow tensions, prompting some allies to call for stronger deterrence measures, including rules of engagement allowing Russian aircraft to be shot down if borders are violated.
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TIPP Staff
TIPP Staff
