WARSAW, Poland — A Russian Mi-8 military helicopter briefly entered Polish airspace on Wednesday, September 23, prompting Poland to scramble fighter aircraft and place ground-based forces on standby.
According to the Operational Command of the Polish Armed Forces, the incident occurred at 11:08 a.m. local time north of the town of Braniewo, near Poland’s border with Russia’s Kaliningrad region. The helicopter was flying from the Kaliningrad region when it crossed into Polish airspace.
The aircraft entered Polish territory to a maximum depth of approximately 300 meters and remained in Polish airspace for 42 seconds before returning toward the Kaliningrad region. Polish military radar systems tracked the helicopter throughout the incident.
In response, Polish fighter aircraft were scrambled, while ground forces and air-defense assets remained on standby. The Operational Command said the nature of the incident indicated that Russia was again testing the readiness of Poland’s air-defense system. It added that Polish air-defense crews continue to maintain round-the-clock surveillance and remain ready to secure the country’s airspace.
Russia has not publicly commented on the incident. Reuters reported that the Russian Embassy in Warsaw did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
The helicopter incident came as Poland was already operating with increased air-security measures because of Russian attacks on Ukraine. Earlier on September 23, Poland deployed military aircraft and increased the readiness of air-defense and radar assets. Civilian flight operations at Rzeszów and Lublin airports were also temporarily suspended at the military’s request to provide freedom of action for military aviation.
Poland has also increased security at several border crossings with Ukraine. The crossings identified in reports include Dorohusk, Zosin, Budomierz, Korczowa, Medyka and Krościenko. Military personnel were deployed at the crossings, with measures intended to allow faster evacuation if an air threat occurs.
The Mi-8 incident adds to the heightened air-security situation Poland has maintained amid the ongoing war in Ukraine and recent Russian aerial attacks near the Polish border.
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