Polish officials investigate crater after suspected Russian missile breach
Polish authorities are examining a 10-metre crater near Lublin that they say was caused by a Russian missile that entered Poland's airspace during a large-scale attack on Ukraine, with no injuries reported.
Polish police and military are inspecting a 10-metre-wide crater in the village of Tarnawa Kolonia, near Lublin, which they believe was created by a Russian missile that entered Poland's airspace during an overnight strike on Ukraine. The impact was reported around 4:00 a.m. local time, after residents heard a loud explosion that rattled windows. A military helicopter confirmed the site during a flyover, and an F-16 fighter was scrambled after radar detected the airspace breach at about 3:40 a.m.
Prime Minister Donald Tusk visited the location with the defence and interior ministers and said a coordination team had been convened to gather information. He noted that preliminary analysis points to a Russian Kh-101 cruise missile, but emphasized that the investigation is ongoing.
Ukraine’s foreign minister, Andrii Sybiha, also said a Kh-101 missile had crossed into Poland and called for stronger air-defence support for Ukraine and NATO members. NATO confirmed close contact with Polish authorities and said the alliance and Poland activated air and ground defenses in response to the incident. NATO’s spokesperson, Martin O’Donnell, and Supreme Allied Commander Europe, General Alexus G. Grynkewich, said the alliance will continue to take necessary measures to protect NATO territory.