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

Published Aug 3, 03:01 PM UTC

On August 3, 2026, Polish Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defence Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz reported that a pair of Polish F-16 fighter jets intercepted a Russian Il-20 reconnaissance aircraft over the Baltic Sea. The interception occurred at approximately 12:00, 60 kilometers northwest of Łeba. The Russian aircraft was operating in international airspace without a flight plan and with its transponder switched off, but did not violate Polish airspace. This incident follows a similar interception on July 31, 2026, 40 kilometers north of Kołobrzeg. The Russian Il-20 is frequently intercepted by Polish fighters, including F-16s and MiG-29s, in the Baltic region. In July, Polish jets also scrambled to intercept Russian Su-30SM2 fighters from Kaliningrad.