LONDON — Poland scrambled fighter jets to intercept Russian military aircraft over the Baltic Sea after accusing Moscow of carrying out what it described as “aggressive surveillance” during ongoing air defense exercises.
Polish Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz said on Wednesday that Russian aircraft were monitoring military drills involving Poland’s integrated air defense systems.
According to the defense chief, a pair of Polish fighter jets stationed at Malbork Air Base was dispatched to intercept two Russian Su-30SM2 fighter aircraft that had flown from the Russian exclave of Kaliningrad.
Kosiniak-Kamysz emphasized that the Russian aircraft did not violate Polish airspace. He also noted that Swedish fighter jets operating in the Baltic region joined the mission and escorted the Russian aircraft during the interception.
The incident comes amid heightened military activity across the Baltic region, where NATO members have increased surveillance and defense operations in response to continued Russian military movements.
Although no airspace violation was reported, the interception underscores ongoing security concerns and the heightened state of readiness among NATO allies along the alliance’s eastern flank.
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