A pair of MiG-29 fighters from the Polish Air Force intercepted a Russian Il-20 aircraft over the Baltic Sea, the Operational Command of the Polish Armed Forces reported.
According to the military, the interception took place on October 28, when the Russian aircraft was conducting a reconnaissance mission in international airspace without a filed flight plan and with its transponder turned off — a procedure that makes it difficult to identify by civilian radar systems.
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The Polish MiG-29s took off on alert, intercepted, visually identified, and escorted the Il-20 until it left the area. Authorities confirmed that the Russian aircraft did not violate Polish airspace.
“Thanks to the high combat readiness, professionalism of the pilots, and effective operation of the air defense system, the actions were carried out quickly, efficiently, and safely,” the Polish command stated in an official release.
The incident comes amid an increase in NATO air surveillance in the Baltic region due to intensified Russian military activity near allied territories.
Ilyushin Il-20
The Ilyushin Il-20 (NATO designation: “Coot-A”) is a reconnaissance and electronic intelligence (ELINT/ISR) aircraft developed by the Soviet Union in the 1960s and still operated by the Russian Air Force. Based on the Il-18 transport airframe, the Il-20 was designed to collect radar, communications, and other electromagnetic emissions — serving a role similar to that of the American RC-135 Rivet Joint.
The aircraft carries sensors mounted along the fuselage and in side radomes — including the Igla-1 radar system, high-resolution cameras, and signal interception antennas. Many Il-20 units have been modernized (Il-20M variant) to operate with digital equipment and updated data links.
Source and images: Facebook @Dowodztwo.Operacyjne. This content was created with the help of AI and reviewed by the editorial team.
