Poland said its air defence forces intercepted a Russian reconnaissance aircraft near Polish airspace over the Baltic Sea.

Meanwhile, radar systems also detected objects entering from Belarus overnight.

According to Poland’s Operational Command of the Armed Forces (DORSZ), fighter jets intercepted, visually identified and escorted the Russian military aircraft away from their area of responsibility on Thursday morning.

The aircraft was flying over international waters close to Poland’s airspace, the command said. DORSZ said air defence services remained on duty despite the holiday season.

Objects detected entering airspace from Belarus

During the night, radar systems observed several objects entering Polish airspace from the direction of Belarus, DORSZ said.

After further analysis, the objects were assessed as most likely smuggling balloons moving in line with wind direction and speed.

Their flight was continuously monitored by Polish radar systems, according to the command.

As a safety measure, part of the airspace over Poland’s northeastern Podlaskie region, which borders Belarus, was temporarily closed to civilian air traffic.

Polish authorities said the situation continues to be monitored and that air defence units remain on constant readiness.

Edited by: Farah Bahgat