A Russian Su-24MR reconnaissance aircraft violated Polish airspace over the eastern part of the Gulf of Gdańsk on February 11, 2025.
The incursion, which lasted for one minute and 12 seconds, saw the aircraft penetrate Polish territory to a depth of 6.5 kilometers before altering course.
According to the Polish Operational Command, the aircraft originated from Russia’s Kaliningrad Oblast and was closely monitored by Polish radar systems throughout its flight. The airspace breach occurred at 14:09 local time, and Polish authorities were in immediate contact with their Russian counterparts.
“The Polish air defense system remains on full alert, conducting round-the-clock surveillance to guarantee the safety of our airspace,” stated the Operational Command of the Polish Armed Forces.
The Russian side acknowledged the violation and attributed it to a navigation system failure on the Su-24MR.
The Su-24MR (NATO reporting name: Fencer-E) is a tactical reconnaissance variant of the variable-sweep wing two-seater and twin-engine supersonic aircraft developed in the Soviet Union in the late 1960s.
The aircraft involved likely belonged to the 4th Naval Attack Aviation Regiment based at Chernyakhovsk Air Base.
This latest airspace violation comes amid ongoing tensions between NATO and Russia, particularly in the Baltic region. On June 14, 2024, another Su-24 breached Swedish airspace east of the southern tip of Gotland Island, prompting a pair of Swedish JAS-39 Gripen jets to intercept and escort the intruding aircraft.