Polish fighters intercept Russian light aircraft near Krakow
Two Polish F-16 fighter pilots intercepted a Russian light aircraft flying in the direction of Kraków. This was reported by Polish TV station, TVN24, on the 31st of July.
According to the report, the incident occurred on the 29th of July. The Russian aircraft flew close to the border of the 100 km airspace around Kraków. Flights were banned in this airspace due to Pope Francis’s visit to the area during World Youth Day. Polish fighter pilots demanded, through gestures and radio communication, that the Russian pilot land in Radom.
According to TASS, the Russian pilot was en route to Radom where the world aerobatics championship will begin on the 5th of August. The Kraków airspace ban was enforced until the 1st of August. Its violation can result in imprisonment for up to five years. No comments on the possible criminal prosecution of the Russian pilot have been made yet.