Poland increases air defense after Russian II-20 intercepts
By The BriefBrief
Poland said it is expanding protection of its airspace after Polish fighter jets intercepted a Russian Il-20 reconnaissance aircraft flying near the Baltic coast with its identification equipment switched off. The intercept occurred about 25 miles north of Ustka, and a similar incident happened earlier in the week.
WHO:Polish Defense Minister Wladyslaw Kosiniak-Kamysz and Poland’s defense ministry
WHAT:Poland increased air-defense activity after intercepting a Russian II-20 reconnaissance aircraft near its coast with its transponder off.
WHEN:Sep 4, 2026
WHERE:Baltic Sea near Poland’s coast (about 25 miles north of Ustka), Poland
WHY:Poland expanded airspace protection following the latest Russian reconnaissance flights near its territory, including the Thursday intercept of a Russian II-20 flying with its transponder off.
