A Russian Su-24MR reconnaissance aircraft breached Polish airspace on February 11, crossing 6.5 kilometers into Polish territory and remaining there for 1 minute and 12 seconds, according to Poland’s Operational Command.
The bomber took off from Russia’s Kaliningrad region, a heavily militarized enclave bordering Poland and Lithuania. Polish officials immediately contacted their Russian counterparts, who claimed the incursion was due to a navigation system failure.
While Russia insists the violation was accidental, military analysts warn it may have been a deliberate act of radar reconnaissance.
According to defense outlet Militarnyi, the Su-24MR may have been equipped with an SRS-14 “Tangazh” electronic intelligence pod, a system used to detect and locate radar emissions.
If true, the incident could have been a pre-planned mission to test Poland’s air defenses.
Poland has been on high alert for Russian provocations, particularly after declaring in December 2024 that it was prepared to intercept Russian missiles over its territory under specific conditions.
Poland, a key NATO member, has significantly increased military spending and expanded its defense capabilities in response to Moscow’s aggression in Ukraine.
With previous Russian air incursions into Swedish, Finnish, and Baltic airspace, Poland may view this event as part of a broader pattern of Russian provocations aimed at testing NATO’s response times and air defense readiness.
Whether an accident or a strategic move, the incursion is certain to further strain relations between Poland and Russia, with NATO likely to respond with increased air patrols and military readiness in the region.
