The breach occurred while Russian forces were conducting military training in Kaliningrad, within 18 km of a Selex RAT-31DL air-surveillance radar site and the base of the 9th Armored Cavalry Brigade. Deputy Prime Minister Radosław Sikorski recently cited such escalations as justification for Poland increasing its defense spending to 4.8% of GDP, which rises to 7% when including civil protection and dual-use assets.
Tuesday, October 20, 2026
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Russian Mi 8 Breaches Polish Airspace in Defense Readiness Test
Geopolitics27 days ago
Polish authorities scrambled fighter jets on September 23 after a Russian Mi-8 military helicopter from Kaliningrad Oblast violated sovereign airspace north of Braniewo. The aircraft penetrated approximately 300 meters into Poland at 11:08 local time and remained for 42 seconds before departing. The Ministry of National Defence stated the nature of the incursion suggested that Russia was conducting a deliberate test of the country's air-defense readiness.
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