Europe · updated 2h ago · 2 min read
Poland Says Russian Mi-8 Briefly Violated Airspace Near Braniewo From Kaliningrad
Russian Mi-8 briefly entered Polish airspace north of Braniewo from Kaliningrad, 300 meters, 42 seconds. Poland scrambled fighter jets and placed ground forces on standby in response.
12 outlets told this the same way.
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10 of 11 outlets skipped it: russia has not commented on the incident.
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Mi-8 Briefly Crosses
Poland’s Operational Command of the Polish Armed Forces said a Russian Mi-8 helicopter briefly violated Polish airspace on September 23 at 11:08 a.m., north of the town of Braniewo. The command said the helicopter flew from the Kaliningrad Oblast, violated Polish airspace to a maximum depth of approximately 300m, and remained in it for 42 seconds. Poland’s Operational Command said Polish military radar systems observed the flight and fighter aircraft were scrambled while ground-based forces and assets remained on standby.
The command said the incident’s nature indicates that Russia was “once again” testing the readiness of Poland’s air defense, and it added that air defense crews conduct round-the-clock observation. The incident was described as a brief “violation” that prompted Poland to prepare its forces, with the helicopter crossing about 300 metres into Polish airspace for 42 seconds.
Poland’s Response, Russia’s Motive
Poland’s Operational Command said fighter aircraft were scrambled and ground-based forces and assets remained on standby after the Mi-8 entered Polish airspace. The Operational Command said, “The nature of the incident indicates that Russia is once again testing the readiness of our air defense,” and it added that crews remain in constant readiness to protect Polish airspace. The helicopter entered Polish airspace from Russia’s Kaliningrad Oblast at around 11:08 a.m. local time and remained there for 42 seconds, according to the statement.
The command said the incident indicates Russia is once again testing the readiness of Poland’s air defense system, and it added that Russia had not yet commented on the incident. The Kyiv Independent also placed the event within a broader pattern, saying it was the latest in a series of Russian military aircraft and drone incursions into Polish airspace since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
Broader Tensions and Readiness
Poland’s Operational Command said the air defense crews remain on round-the-clock watch and at “constant readiness” to protect the country’s airspace.
““Unfortunately, we cannot rule out that this escalation will also concern our territory.””
Poland placed six border crossings with Ukraine in the Lubelskie and Podkarpackie regions on heightened readiness on Sept. 22, with Polish military personnel deployed at the crossings.
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk warned on Sept. 13 that Russian escalation could increase in the upcoming months, saying, “Unfortunately, we cannot rule out that this escalation will also concern our territory.”
Poland activated military aviation, air defense systems, and reconnaissance assets in response to Russian aerial strikes on Ukraine, and operations at Rzeszów and Lublin airports were temporarily suspended.
The Operational Command said the helicopter’s 42-second flight near the border renewed scrutiny of Russia’s intentions, while it maintained that its air defense systems monitor the airspace around the clock and remain on constant standby.