On Thursday, October 30, 2025, the Armed Forces Operational Command (DO RSZ) announced on social media that a pair of MiG-29 fighter jets on quick reaction alert intercepted, identified, and escorted a Russian Il-20M reconnaissance aircraft conducting imagery and electronic intelligence missions.
Photos: DO RSZ
“On October 30, 2025, shortly before 9:00 a.m., a pair of Polish Air Force MiG-29 fighter jets on quick reaction alert carried out another interception this week of a Russian Federation Il-20 reconnaissance aircraft flying over the Baltic Sea.
The aircraft, which was operating in international airspace without a filed flight plan and with its transponder turned off, was intercepted, identified, and escorted out of the area of responsibility. There was no violation of Polish airspace.
Thanks to the high combat readiness and professionalism of the alert crews, pilots, and ground personnel, the operation was conducted efficiently, effectively, and safely.
Polish Armed Forces personnel safeguard the security of Poland’s airspace every day with full dedication.”
Armed Forces Operational Command
Yesterday, a similar incident took place, and involved the same Il-20M aircraft with registration number RF-95671. Over the past several months, it has been repeatedly intercepted over the Baltic Sea by allied aircraft from Sweden, Italy, Portugal, Germany, and France.
Previous interceptions by the Polish Air Force, involving F-16 Jastrząb fighters and a different Il-20M with registration number RF-93611, took place on August 12, 2024, and on March 3 and 6, 2024, carried out by MiG-29 and F-16 aircraft.
The Il-20M (NATO reporting name: Coot-A) is a specialized variant of the Il-18 aircraft (hence its alternative designation Il-18D-36 Bizon), designed for imagery reconnaissance, communications intelligence (COMINT), and electronic intelligence (ELINT), that is, intercepting electromagnetic signal emissions. It is equipped with an extensive suite of optoelectronic sensors, including the A-87P LOROP, Romb-4, and Vishnya systems, as well as a Igla-1 side-looking airborne radar (SLAR) with a phased-array antenna, and satellite communication systems for real-time data transmission. The Il-20M prototype made its first flight in March 1968. A total of 20 aircraft were built, 14 of which remain in service with the Russian Aerospace Forces (VKS).
On September 17, 2018, another Russian Il-20M was accidentally shot down by Syrian air defenses, killing all 15 crew members on board, during an Israeli missile strike on targets in Syria. Earlier, on April 13, 2014, a Russian Il-20M approached Turkish airspace over the Black Sea and was intercepted by four F-16s, and on October 22, 2014, one of the aircraft violated Estonian airspace.
30 października 2025 r., przed godziną 9:00, para dyżurna myśliwców MiG-29 🇵🇱 Sił Powietrznych dokonała kolejnego w tym tygodniu przechwycenia samolotu rozpoznawczego Federacji Rosyjskiej 🇷🇺 Ił-20 wykonującego lot nad Morzem Bałtyckim.
Maszyna, lecąca w międzynarodowej… pic.twitter.com/Glqhv9DjTz
— Dowództwo Operacyjne RSZ (@DowOperSZ) October 30, 2025