NATO Flights Foil Russian Reconnaissance Efforts Amid Tensions
Poland’s Operational Command of the Armed Forces reported intercepting a Russian Il-20 reconnaissance aircraft over the Baltic Sea on March 13, 2026. The aircraft was detected flying in international airspace without a filed flight plan and its transponder switched off. Polish Air Force MiG-29 fighters quickly identified and escorted the Russian aircraft out of their area of responsibility. According to AeroTime, this incident is the latest sign of continued Russian military aviation activity near NATO airspace in the Baltic region.