# Poland‑Russia Il‑20 intercepts > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/polandrussia-il20-intercepts > Updated: 2026-08-05T18:52:08.000Z. Sources: 23. Developments: 3. In early August 2026 the Polish Air Force intercepted a Russian Il‑20M electronic‑intelligence aircraft repeatedly over the Baltic Sea. The first interception on 2 August occurred about 56 km northwest of Koszalin, followed by two more on 4 August near the same area. Polish officials stressed the aircraft stayed in international airspace, flew without a flight plan or transponder, and that no sovereign Polish airspace was breached. Defence Minister Władysław Kosiniak‑Kamysz described the flights as provocative tests of NATO’s readiness on its eastern flank. A third interception on 4 August, about 56 km north‑east of Koszalin, saw Polish fighters make visual contact and signal the Russian crew to depart, again without entering Polish sovereign airspace. The ministry reiterated that the Il‑20M remained in international airspace and highlighted a recent rise in Russian reconnaissance activity near the Baltic coast, prompting concern among Poland and neighbouring Baltic states. NATO’s Allied Joint Force Command Brunssum later reported a 250 % surge in rapid‑response fighter scrambles along the alliance’s eastern flank in July 2026, attributing the increase to repeated Russian flights without flight plans or transponders. Polish jets were among those responding, including the interception near Łeba. The same report noted a Russian Kh‑101 cruise missile that crashed in a field near Lublin, which NATO described as a reckless act, underscoring heightened tensions in the region. ## Claims - Polish fighter jets intercepted a Russian Il‑20M reconnaissance aircraft over the Baltic Sea. (corroborated by 9 sources) - The interception occurred about 56 km north‑east of Koszalin. (corroborated by 8 sources) - The Russian aircraft did not violate Polish sovereign airspace. (corroborated by 8 sources) - This was the third interception within a few days, following incidents on the previous Friday and Monday. (corroborated by 8 sources) - Defence Minister Władysław Kosiniak‑Kamysz said Russia is testing NATO’s vigilance and readiness. (corroborated by 8 sources) - Poland and Baltic states expressed concern about increased Russian reconnaissance flights near NATO borders. (corroborated by 8 sources) - NATO fighter scrambles along its eastern flank increased by more than 250 % in July 2026 compared with July 2025. (corroborated by 5 sources) - The increase is attributed to Russian military aircraft repeatedly flying near NATO airspace without flight plans or transponder signals. (corroborated by 5 sources) - NATO did not disclose the absolute number of scrambles or a breakdown by individual member states. (corroborated by 3 sources) - The Il‑20M operates in international airspace without a flight plan and with its transponder turned off. (corroborated by 2 sources) - Alpha Scrambles are rapid‑response launches ordered when unidentified or potentially threatening aircraft approach allied airspace. (corroborated by 2 sources) - A Russian Kh‑101 cruise missile crashed in a field near Lublin, Poland, on July 30, 2026. (single source) ## Timeline ### 2026-08-05: NATO reports 250% surge in fighter scrambles over eastern flank amid Russian flights NATO says Alpha Scrambles on its eastern flank jumped 250 % in July 2026 due to Russian aircraft flying without flight plans or transponders; Polish jets intercepted a Russian Il‑20 and a Kh‑101 missile crashed 6 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/nato-reports-250-jump-in-intercepts-of-russian-aircraft-over-its-eastern-flank ### 2026-08-04: Poland intercepts Russian Il-20M reconnaissance plane over Baltic Sea Polish fighters intercepted a Russian Il‑20M spy plane over the Baltic Sea for the third time, 56 km NE of Koszalin, without breaching Polish airspace; the defence minister said Russia is testing NATO vigilance 12 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/poland-intercepts-russian-il-20-reconnaissance-plane-over-baltic-sea ### 2026-08-02: Polish fighters intercept Russian Il‑20 over Baltic Sea near Koszalin Polish fighters intercepted a Russian Il‑20 near Koszalin, repeating similar over‑flights near Kołobrzeg and Łeba; officials say the aircraft flew without a plan or transponder but did not breach Polish air‑spc 7 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/russian-il-20-plane-intercepted-over-baltic-sea-as-drone-attacks-hit-turkish-vessels-in-black-sea --- Cite as: Poland‑Russia Il‑20 intercepts. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/polandrussia-il20-intercepts