A Russian military Mi-8 helicopter briefly violated Polish airspace on September 23, 2026, entering near Braniewo from the Russian exclave of Kaliningrad. The helicopter penetrated up to 300 meters into Polish territory for 42 seconds. In response, the Polish military scrambled fighter jets and placed ground forces on alert. This is reportedly the first public incident of a Russian military helicopter crossing Poland's land border. Poland perceives this and other recent Russian airspace violations, including drones and missiles, as tests of NATO readiness and unity. Recent months have seen increased Russian provocations including drone strikes near the Polish border, a Russian cruise missile crash in Poland, and Belarusian helicopter airspace violations. Poland and NATO warn of potential further provocations, including accidental missile and drone strikes as alleged by Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk. Russia has not yet commented on this helicopter incursion.

A Russian military Mi-8 helicopter briefly violated Polish airspace on September 23, 2026, entering near Braniewo from the Russian exclave of Kaliningrad. The helicopter penetrated up to 300 meters into Polish territory for 42 seconds. In response, the Polish military scrambled fighter jets and placed ground forces on alert. This is reportedly the first public incident of a Russian military helicopter crossing Poland's land border. Poland perceives this and other recent Russian airspace violations, including drones and missiles, as tests of NATO readiness and unity. Recent months have seen increased Russian provocations including drone strikes near the Polish border, a Russian cruise missile crash in Poland, and Belarusian helicopter airspace violations. Poland and NATO warn of potential further provocations, including accidental missile and drone strikes as alleged by Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk. Russia has not yet commented on this helicopter incursion.