An aircraft coming from Kaliningrad violated Polish airspace for 42 seconds

An aircraft flying from the direction of Kaliningrad entered Polish airspace north of the city of Braniewo and remained there for 42 seconds. The incident was detected by the Polish armed forces’ radio-tracking systems, which determined that the aircraft had advanced approximately 300 meters into national airspace.

Polish fighter jets were scrambled, while ground forces and assets were placed on maximum alert. Poland’s Operational Command said the nature of the incident suggested that Russia was once again testing the reaction capabilities of air defenses.

The army in Warsaw said that air defense systems continuously monitor national airspace and are prepared to respond. Since the beginning of Russia’s war against Ukraine, Russian drones, missiles, aircraft and helicopters have violated or approached Polish and Baltic airspace. In this context, Poland and its allies intercept Russian aircraft over the Baltic Sea several times a month. In mid-September, Prime Minister Donald Tusk warned that Russia could resort to hybrid attacks involving drones and missiles against European states supporting Ukraine.