Overview
- Polish F-16s escorted a Russian Il-20 reconnaissance plane out of the Baltic Sea area after it flew without a filed flight plan and with its transponder off, according to Poland’s Operational Command.
- The Polish military said the aircraft did not answer air traffic control calls and that no Polish airspace was violated.
- Commanders framed the interception as a standard safety procedure meant to quickly identify aircraft and lower the risk of incidents for civilian traffic.
- Separately, the UK defence secretary reported increased Russian activity north of the UK, with an Akula-class attack submarine and two GUGI deep-diving submarines tracked by the Royal Navy and RAF alongside allies.
- UK officials said GUGI vessels are built to survey undersea cables and other seabed infrastructure in peacetime and could sabotage them in conflict, which has driven sustained allied monitoring.