Polish F-16s intercept Russian Il-20 reconnaissance aircraft over Baltic Sea

Published Jul 31, 02:30 PM UTC

On July 31, 2026, a Polish Quick Reaction Alert (QRA) pair of F-16 fighter jets intercepted a Russian Il-20 electronic reconnaissance aircraft approximately 40 kilometers north of Kołobrzeg over the Baltic Sea. Polish Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defence Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz confirmed the Russian aircraft was flying in international airspace without a flight plan and with its transponder turned off, but did not violate Polish airspace. The interception is part of a pattern of increased Russian reconnaissance flights near NATO borders. Earlier in July, Polish fighters also intercepted Russian Su-30SM2 fighters from Kaliningrad and another Il-20M on July 14. The Il-20 is described as one of the most frequently intercepted Russian reconnaissance aircraft in the region.