Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk stated that a missile which created a large crater in eastern Poland was likely a Russian Kh-101 cruise missile.
Key facts
- •The missile impacted near Tarnawa Kolonia, Poland, creating a 10-meter-wide crater.
- •Polish military radar detected the object at 03:40 local time before it disappeared from systems.
- •At least eight people were killed and dozens wounded in the concurrent Russian strikes across Ukraine.
- •Prime Minister Tusk stated that military experts identified the majority of recovered fragments as belonging to a Russian Kh-101 missile.
- •This incident follows previous instances of Russian drones and missiles entering Polish territory since the war began in February 2022.
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk announced that an object which crashed into a field in eastern Poland on Thursday was likely a Russian Kh-101 cruise missile. The incident occurred during a large-scale Russian aerial attack on several Ukrainian cities. While no casualties were reported, the event prompted a significant security response from Polish authorities and NATO.
By the numbers
Incident Details and Military Response
The object created a 10-meter-wide crater near the village of Tarnawa Kolonia, located 92 kilometers from the Ukrainian border. Polish military radar detected the object at approximately 03:40 local time, leading to the deployment of an F-16 fighter jet. The object disappeared from radar systems shortly thereafter, and a military helicopter was dispatched to search the area. Police discovered the crash site around 05:00 after residents reported hearing a loud bang. Prime Minister Tusk noted that while the object did not land in a built-up area, the military was prepared to intercept it had its flight continued. Polish Defence Minister Wladyslaw Kosiniak-Kamysz reported that approximately 20 objects were observed near Polish airspace during the overnight strikes, and pyrotechnical analysis of the site is ongoing.
Context of Russian Strikes in Ukraine
The missile incursion occurred during a massive Russian strike against Ukraine that targeted Lviv, Kyiv, and areas near Kryvyhi Rih. The attacks resulted in at least eight deaths and dozens of injuries across Ukraine, including the deaths of six members of a single family near Kryvyhi Rih. Ukraine’s acting Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha stated that the missile had violated NATO airspace as part of this broader offensive. NATO officials confirmed they are in close contact with Polish authorities regarding the incident. General Alexus G. Grynkewich, the Supreme Allied Commander in Europe, stated that the alliance would continue to take necessary measures to defend its territory. European Council head António Costa remarked that the strike underscores the ongoing threat Russia’s aggression poses to regional security.
Timeline
- Wednesday eveningPolish Prime Minister Donald Tusk met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in Lublin.
- 03:40 ThursdayPolish military radar detected the object entering airspace.
- 04:00 ThursdayResidents in Tarnawa Kolonia reported hearing a loud bang.
- 05:00 ThursdayPolice discovered the crash site.
Advertisement
This article was independently rewritten by ManyPress editorial AI from reporting originally published by BBC World.
