Polish jets intercept Russian aircraft over Baltic Sea: Army

By Melike Pala

BRUSSELS (AA) - Polish jets intercepted a Russian plane conducting a reconnaissance mission over the Baltic Sea, the Polish Army said Wednesday.

On US social media company X, the army said the Russian Il-20 was flying in international airspace without a filed flight plan and with its transponder turned off.

"On October 28, 2025, a pair of on-duty MiG-29 Air Force fighters successfully intercepted, visually identified, and escorted a Russian Federation aircraft out of the area of responsibility," the statement said, adding that it was conducting a flight over the Baltic Sea.

It added that the aircraft did not violate Polish airspace.

European countries have accused Russia of being behind recent incidents of drones violating their airspace, but Moscow denies the claims.

Tensions grew after a Sept. 9 incident in which some 20 drones crossed into Polish airspace during a mass strike on Ukraine, leading NATO jets to take part in joint patrols with Polish forces.

Other NATO countries in the region, including the Baltic nations of Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia, have reported similar airspace incursions.