The NATO member state insisted it will always 'protect the sovereignty of our airspace'.

15:56, Tue, Jul 14, 2026 Updated: 16:12, Tue, Jul 14, 2026

NATO scrambles fighter jets

NATO has been forced to scramble fighter jets to intercept a Russian plane (Image: Getty)

NATO has once again been forced to scramble fighter jets to incercept a Russian plane over the Baltic Sea as tensions continue to soar. Polish fighters today intercepted intercepted a Russian Il-20 aircraft that was conducting a flight over the Baltic Sea.

The Russian plane had no filed flight plan and with its transponder turned off. The aircraft was carrying out a reconnaissance mission in international airspace, says the Polish Operational Command of the Armed Forces. The on-duty pair of Air Force fighters successfully intercepted, visually identified, and escorted the aircraft away from the area of responsibility.

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The aircraft did not violate Polish airspace.

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