Poland's air force intercepted a Russian reconnaissance aircraft flying near the border of its airspace over the Baltic Sea, heightening tensions in the region as NATO allies remain on high alert following Russia's ongoing war in Ukraine.
The Polish military confirmed that fighter jets were scrambled early Friday morning to intercept, visually identify, and escort the Russian aircraft away from Polish airspace. The incident occurred over international waters of the Baltic Sea.
"This morning, over the international waters of the Baltic Sea, Polish fighter jets intercepted, visually identified, and escorted a Russian reconnaissance aircraft flying near the border of Polish airspace," the Polish Operational Command announced.
The interception came after Polish forces also tracked unidentified "objects" flying in the direction of Poland from Belarus during the previous night. The sightings prompted Warsaw to temporarily close civilian airspace in the northeastern part of the country as a precautionary measure.
This incident adds to growing concerns about Russian military activity near NATO borders. Baltic states have repeatedly warned that they believe Russia could launch an attack against them within the next few years, with Harvard researchers identifying 2027 and 2028 as the most frequently mentioned timeframes for potential Russian aggression.
The European Union recently approved a historic €90 billion loan to Ukraine, demonstrating continued Western commitment to supporting Kyiv's defense. NATO has also increased its forward presence in the Baltic region in response to the perceived threat.
Poland, which shares a border with both Russia's Kaliningrad exclave and Belarus, has been particularly vigilant and has significantly increased its defense spending since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine began in 2022.
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