A Bulgarian MiG-29 intercepted LOT Polish Airlines Airbus A320-231 over the Danube River on 30 June 2026 after its transponder erroneously broadcast squawk 7500, triggering NATO air policing protocols. The fighter, scrambled from Graf Ignatievo at 13:54, intercepted the aircraft at 13:57, identified it, and escorted it across Bulgarian airspace before Turkish F-16s took over escort duties. When the carrier requested return clearance, Bulgarian MiG-29s reactivated to intercept and escort the plane to Burgas Airport, where it landed at 17:15. Authorities confirmed the alert was a false alarm caused by transponder technical failure or human error, with no security threat. The aircraft resumed service after inspection, carrying 180 passengers safely to Tel Aviv.