The Operational Command of the Polish Armed Forces reported that a Russian reconnaissance aircraft, the Su-24MR, violated Polish airspace in the eastern region of the Gulf of Gdańsk.
The aircraft took off from the Kaliningrad region and crossed the Polish border at 14:09, penetrating 6.5 kilometers into Polish airspace. It remained in the area for 1 minute and 12 seconds before returning to Russian territory.~
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Polish radar stations monitored the entire flight path of the Su-24MR in real time.
Russia Claims Navigation System Failure
Polish air surveillance services maintained contact with the Russian side, which justified the airspace violation as a result of a “navigation system failure” of the Su-24MR.
Possible Russian Provocation
Experts warn that this violation may not have been a mistake but rather a deliberate action aimed at provocation or radar reconnaissance.
The aircraft may have used an SRS-14 “Tangage” electronic intelligence pod, designed to detect radar radiation sources. By doing so, the Russians could have forced Polish radars to activate, mapping their locations and technical characteristics.
Russian Activities in the Baltic Sea
Russia has intensified its aerial presence over the Baltic Sea, frequently approaching NATO airspace.
On December 8, Royal Netherlands Air Force F-35A fighter jets intercepted Russian aircraft, including the Su-24MR, An-72, and Il-20, further raising NATO concerns about increasing Russian military air activity in the region.
Sources: X @DowOperSZ / mil.in.ua. This content was created with the help of AI and reviewed by the editorial team.
