On Thursday, July 16, 2026, Poland’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defence Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz reported on social media that the Polish Air Force had carried out further interceptions of Russian military aircraft: two Su-30SM multirole fighters and an Il-20M imagery and signals intelligence aircraft.
Russian Su-30SM / File photo: NATO AIRCOM
“The Russians are once again testing the capabilities of our air defense systems. A pair of Polish quick reaction alert fighters from Malbork intercepted two Russian Su-30s over the Baltic Sea. After completing that operation, our crews were redirected to intercept a Russian Il-20 reconnaissance aircraft approximately 30 km north of Jastrzębia Góra. Once the Polish escort ended, Swedish aircraft took over. In neither case was Polish airspace violated.”
Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz
The previous day, a pair of Polish MiG-29s and Swedish JAS 39 Gripens intercepted two Russian Su-30SM2 multirole fighters (NATO reporting name: Flanker-H). One day earlier, a Russian Il-20M imagery and signals intelligence aircraft (NATO reporting name: Coot-A) attempted to enter Polish airspace and was also intercepted.
It is also worth noting that the Polish Navy is currently conducting Operation Zatoka (“Bay“) in the Baltic Sea together with Allied forces, as well as activities under Baltic Sentry operation. Meanwhile, the crew of the mine countermeasures vessel ORP Mewa (603), deployed as part of the Polish Military Contingent Kormoran with Standing NATO Mine Countermeasures Group One (SNMCMG1), conducted further exercises with the Lithuanian command ship LNS Jotvingis.
These are the latest in a series of incidents involving Russian military aviation over the Baltic Sea this year. The previous interception of an Il-20M near Polish airspace took place on May 13. Earlier, on April 24, a pair of F-16s intercepted two Russian Su-30 multirole fighters over the Baltic Sea. An Il-20M was also intercepted by Polish F-16s on April 9 and by MiG-29s on March 16.
Earlier interceptions of Russian Il-20Ms took place on three consecutive days—October 29, 30, and 31, 2025. Three such incidents were also recorded in 2024: an interception by an F-16 Jastrząb on August 12, and interceptions by MiG-29s and F-16s on March 3 and 6.
Su-30SM2
Su-30SM multirole fighters and the newer Su-30SM2 variant are stationed at the Russian air base in Chernyakhovsk as part of the Baltic Fleet’s 4th Guards Naval Assault Aviation Regiment. The first aircraft were delivered there in 2016, with further deliveries following in 2017 and subsequent years. In 2022, Russia planned to deploy an additional Su-30SM2 squadron in the region to strengthen the air defense of the Kaliningrad exclave.
The upgrade from the Su-30SM to the Su-30SM2 standard included replacing the 123 kN Salyut AL-31FP engines with more powerful Saturn/Lyulka AL-41F-1S (117S) thrust-vectoring engines derived from the Su-35S. Producing 142 kN of thrust, the new engines provide approximately 16 percent more thrust while offering lower fuel consumption and a longer service life.
The Su-30SM2 also receives upgraded avionics, including a modernized or new active electronically scanned array radar, expanded weapons-carrying capabilities, a new electronic warfare system, and the OSNOD radio navigation and communications system. The latter incorporates a new tactical data link compatible with Su-57 multirole fighters and unmanned aerial systems. The modernization is intended to keep the aircraft in service beyond 2040.
On July 6 this year, the Russian Aerospace Forces received another batch of Su-30SM2 aircraft manufactured by the Irkutsk Aviation Plant in Irkutsk.
Photo: Operational Command of the Polish Armed Forces
Il-20M
The Il-20M is a specialized variant of the Il-18 aircraft, hence its alternative designation Il-18D-36 Bizon. It is designed for imagery intelligence, communications intelligence (COMINT), and electronic intelligence (ELINT), including the interception of electromagnetic emissions. The aircraft is equipped with a broad suite of A-87P LOROP, Romb-4, and Vishnya electro-optical and electronic intelligence sensors, as well as an Igla-1 side-looking airborne radar (SLAR) with a phased-array antenna and satellite communications systems for the real-time transmission of intelligence data. The Il-20M prototype made its first flight in March 1968. A total of 20 aircraft were produced, 14 of which remain in service with the Russian Aerospace Forces.
Rosjanie znowu testują możliwości naszych systemów OP. Para dyżurna polskich myśliwców z Malborka dokonała przechwycenia dwóch rosyjskich Su-30 nad Bałtykiem. Po zakończeniu tej operacji nasze załogi przekierowano na dodatkowe przechwycenie rosyjskiego samolotu rozpoznawczego…
— Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz (@KosiniakKamysz) July 16, 2026
⚓️ Sojusznicza współpraca to jeden z filarów bezpieczeństwa na morzu.
Załoga #PKWKORMORAN 🇵🇱 operująca w składzie zespołu @SNMCMG1 przeprowadziła kolejne ćwiczenia z litewskim 🇱🇹 okrętem dowodzenia LNS Jotvingis. Podejmowanie rozbitka z wody oraz przekazywanie ładunku metodą… pic.twitter.com/DT8E3Q56w9
— Dowództwo Operacyjne RSZ (@DowOperSZ) July 16, 2026
