Key facts
- A Russian Mi-8 helicopter briefly violated Polish airspace near Kaliningrad.
- The incursion lasted 42 seconds.
- Poland scrambled fighter jets in response.
- Warsaw views the incident as a test of its air defense readiness.
A Russian Mi-8 helicopter briefly violated Polish airspace on Wednesday morning, entering from the Russian exclave of Kaliningrad and remaining for 42 seconds. Poland's Armed Forces Operational Command reported that the helicopter penetrated Polish airspace to a depth of approximately 300 meters and was observed by military radar systems. Warsaw scrambled fighter jets in response and kept ground forces on standby, with the military command stating that the incident indicates Russia is testing Poland's air defense readiness. This event occurs amid heightened tensions related to Russia's ongoing war in Ukraine, with Polish officials having previously warned of potential Russian escalation and hybrid warfare tactics against NATO members supporting Kyiv.