Poland scrambled fighter jets on September 23 after a Russian Mi-8 helicopter briefly crossed into its airspace from Kaliningrad, Polish military officials said. The Operational Command said the helicopter entered Polish airspace north of Braniewo at about 11:08 a.m. local time. It penetrated roughly 300 metres and stayed for about 42 seconds before returning to Russia. Radar systems tracked the helicopter throughout, the command said. Fighter aircraft were scrambled and ground-based forces were placed on standby. Warsaw said the move showed Russia was again testing its air defences. Moscow did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Poland remains on high alert for border incidents tied to Russia’s war in Ukraine. Several drones and at least one missile have entered Polish airspace since the 2022 invasion, officials say. NATO’s eastern members have boosted defences in recent years. Prime Minister Donald Tusk has warned that Moscow could stage further provocations disguised as accidents. The brief incursion adds to the list of cross-border incidents straining the alliance’s frontier. Polish forces said they would continue round-the-clock monitoring of the country’s airspace.