Russian Helicopter Briefly Enters Polish Airspace Near Kaliningrad

A Russian Mi-8 military helicopter briefly entered Polish airspace from the Kaliningrad exclave, according to Poland's Operational Command on Wednesday. The aircraft remained for 42 seconds, penetrating up to roughly 300 meters, prompting fighter jets to scramble and ground forces to be placed on alert. Polish authorities stated the incident indicates Russia is again testing the readiness of NATO's eastern flank. It follows a recent pattern of Russian military activity over the Baltic Sea, including the interception of an Il-20 reconnaissance plane and the discovery of a Russian-made drone with an explosive charge on a Polish beach. The event comes amid warnings from Polish and Czech officials that Russia could escalate its war in Ukraine and provoke NATO members within months. Moscow has avoided direct action against the alliance, instead conducting sabotage campaigns and isolated incidents apparently designed to probe NATO's limits.