Polish jets intercept Russian reconnaissance plane spotted near airspace

Poland’s defence minister said Russian aircraft was ‘escorted’ from area and did not pose immediate security threat.Published On 26 Dec 2025Poland said its air force intercepted a “Russian reconnaissance aircraft” flying near the border of its airspace just hours after tracking suspected smuggling balloons coming from the direction of neighbouring Belarus.“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 from their area of responsibility,” the Operational Command of the Polish Armed Forces said in a post on X on Thursday.Recommended Stories list of 4 itemslist 1 of 4What are the consequences of Israel’s expanding illegal settlements?list 2 of 4‘No negotiation, no truce’ with RSF, says senior Sudan officiallist 3 of 4Venezuela frees dozens detained during protests against Madurolist 4 of 4Trump says US launched strike against ISIL in northwest Nigeriaend of listPolish forces also tracked unknown “objects” flying in the direction of Poland from Belarus during the previous night, prompting Warsaw to temporarily close civilian airspace in the northeast of the country.“After detailed analysis, it was determined that these were most likely smuggling balloons, moving in the direction and at the speed of the wind. Their flight was continuously monitored by our radar systems,” Operational Command said.The post did not disclose any further details about the number or size of the balloons.Polish Defence Minister Wladyslaw Kosiniak-Kamysz said on X that the incidents did not pose an immediate threat to Poland’s security, and he thanked the “nearly 20,000 of our soldiers who, during the Holidays, watch over our safety”.“All provocations over the Baltic Sea and near the border with Belarus were under the full control of the Polish Army,” he said.Translation: Another busy night for the operational services of the Polish Army. All provocations, both over the Baltic Sea and over the border with Belarus, were under full control. I thank nearly 20,000 of our soldiers who, during the Holidays, watch over our safety – and as can be seen – do so extremely effectively.The Belarusian and Russian ‌embassies in Warsaw did not immediately respond ⁠to the Reuters news agency’s requests for comment.