Earlier this morning, a Russian Mi-8 helicopter briefly entered Polish airspace north of Braniewo after flying from Russia’s Kaliningrad Oblast.
The helicopter reportedly penetrated approximately 300 meters into Polish airspace before leaving the area.
Poland’s Ministry of National Defence says the nature of the incident suggests Russia may have been testing Poland’s air-defense readiness.
Of note, Braniewo is home to the 9th Armored Cavalry Brigade, one of Poland’s modern armored formations. Nearby, the 211th Long Range Radiolocating Post at Chruściel operates a Selex RAT-31DL air-surveillance radar, reportedly capable of detecting targets at ranges of up to 470 km.
The radar site is only 18 km from the reported intrusion, making the location and circumstances of the incursion particularly notable.