Poland responded to a Russian bomber in the air by intercepting it within the Baltic Sea
On Thursday, May 22, Polish military pilots conducted another demonstration of readiness to defend the national borders and succeeded in intercepting a Russian strategic Su-24 bomber in international airspace over the Baltic Sea. This event highlighted the tension in the region and was a response to ongoing provocations by Russia, which is increasingly watchful of the situation near its borders. According to Polish Defense Minister Voldyslav Kosińak-Kamisz, the situation caused significant resonance in the country's military command. In a joint press conference with representatives of allies, published by RMF24, he reported that on Thursday night, the NATO Allied Joint Force Command in Europe ordered Polish carrier fighters to take to the air and intercept a Russian aircraft performing maneuvers that could have potentially catastrophic or provocative consequences. After identifying the target in international airspace, Polish pilots engaged in identification and discreditation procedures, ensuring the security of Poland's borders through quick reaction. The Minister emphasized that the Russian Su-24 conducted aggressive actions, performing dangerous maneuvers without clear warnings or messages about its planned route, posing a direct risk to Polish and international aviation operations in the area. "These actions were deliberate and conscious, creating a real threat, so the Polish military acted decisively and effectively: their response was swift and clear — they managed to identify and intercept the target, as well as effectively repel the hostile aircraft away from the borders," he stressed. The Minister added that such provocations are not isolated. Since the activation of Russian military presence near NATO borders, especially in the Kaliningrad region, the situation in the region has become increasingly tense. Kaliningrad, an exclave of Russia, often becomes a source of aviation activity with transponders turned off and without coordination with Polish or Baltic controllers, increasing the risk of misunderstandings and potential incidents. Kosińak-Kamisz emphasized that Poland is committed to a principled response to any provocations and aggressive actions by Russia. "We are a NATO member country that defends its borders and the integrity of its airspace — we respond accordingly, and our defense is resolute. We cooperate with our allies within NATO to ensure comprehensive protection," he said. Recent events over the past days indicate growing geopolitical tension in the Baltic Sea region. For instance, on May 21, Ukrainian media reported that Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk stated that a Russian vessel, which experts tend to associate with the so-called 'shadow fleet' of the Russian Federation, performed suspicious maneuvers near the power cable connecting Poland and Sweden. According to Tusk, this is an attempt by Russia to destabilize the situation and exert pressure on the energy infrastructure. Additional examples of tension include incidents in the waters of the Gulf of Finland. For example, the Estonian Navy attempted several days ago to stop the vessel Jaguar, which was passing through international waters and is likely linked to the 'shadow fleet' of Russia. Furthermore, the tanker crew refused to comply with Estonian border guards’ demands, and the vessel only left the country's exclusive economic zone. Russian military responded promptly: Estonia reported that a Russian fighter jet penetrated its airspace — a further step in a series of provocations and tactical challenges from Moscow. Overall, the situation in the Baltic Sea remains tense. Western and Ukrainian analysts note that Russia is increasing military activity in the region, demonstrating its ability to carry out rapid and aggressive actions, potentially affecting the stability and security of the entire transatlantic space. Poland, in turn, shows its readiness and resolve to act in response, to prevent any potential threats and maintain security for its countries during this period of geopolitical tension.