Russian SU-24MR Jet Briefly Violates Polish Airspace Due to Navigation Failure

A Russian SU-24MR military jet entered Polish airspace over the Gdańsk Bay area of the Baltic Sea on Tuesday, reportedly due to a navigation system failure, according to Poland’s Operational Command. The aircraft flew 6.5 kilometers (4 miles) into Polish territory and remained there for just over a minute before altering its course. Polish airspace monitoring services were in contact with their Russian counterparts, who acknowledged the violation and attributed it to a technical malfunction.

The Polish military stated that the jet had taken off from Russia’s Kaliningrad exclave and that the flight route was immediately corrected after intervention from a Russian Armed Forces navigator. Polish Interior Minister Tomasz Siemoniak emphasized that such incidents have been occurring for years, with Russia consistently testing and probing in the Baltic region.

Siemoniak also reassured that Poland’s detection systems promptly identified the intrusion, ensuring the aircraft exited Polish airspace swiftly after being alerted. He added that the Polish foreign ministry would assess the situation and determine an appropriate response.

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