Polish F-16 fighters intercepted the Russian Il-20 aircraft, which was on a reconnaissance flight over the Baltic Sea, reported the Operations Command of Types of Armed Forces.
The Russian device moved in global airspace without a flight plan and with the transponder off. The Polish F-16 identified the unit, intercepted it, and then escorted it.
DORSZ emphasises that interceptions are not a demonstration of force, but an component of the regular control and safety of the state's airspace. The procedure allows for a fast recognition of the nature of the flight, hazard assessment and corrective action – from course change to landing – to defend civilian traffic and key infrastructure.
Air safety is 1 of the priorities #WarPolish. all day the pilots of the Armed Forces of Poland are awake and ready to defend Polish sky.
On 8 April 2026, the flight crew of F-16 Air Force fighters made effective... pic.twitter.com/VQdyGLJOC5
— Operational Command of the RSZ (@DowOperSZ) April 9, 2026
The activities of the Polish F-16 are part of the NATO Baltic Air Police mission, in which the Baltic States and the Baltic Sea are regularly patrolled by allied aircraft.
