Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk visited the site where a Russian missile fell near the village of Tarnawa-Kolonia in the Lublin Voivodeship. He said Poland’s security directly depends on the effectiveness of Ukraine’s air defences and called for continued support for Kyiv.
“If the Ukrainians had significantly more of what they are constantly asking for, perhaps this missile would never have entered Poland,” Tusk said.
He added that although publicly supporting Ukraine may not always be popular, the actions of Ukrainian forces in the air have a direct impact on Poland’s security.
Poland may provide additional Patriot missiles
Tusk said he and Defence Minister Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz would consider providing Ukraine with additional assistance as quickly as possible.
The aid could include missiles for Patriot air-defence systems should Ukraine require them.
The Polish prime minister also stressed that there was currently no reason to believe Poland had been deliberately targeted by the Russian missile.
Based on the preliminary assessment of military experts and the debris recovered at the site, the object was likely a Russian Kh-101 cruise missile. Investigators and experts are expected to make the final determination.
Polish military was prepared to shoot down the missile
According to Tusk, the Polish military was ready to destroy the missile had it continued flying and posed an immediate threat. He said the armed forces and other services responded quickly and appropriately.
The object was detected in Polish airspace at around 3:40 a.m. An F-16 fighter jet was scrambled to identify and intercept it, but the missile disappeared from radar six minutes later.
Its likely impact site was subsequently located near Tarnawa-Kolonia.
The missile fell in an undeveloped area. Polish authorities reported no deaths, injuries or major damage. A crater about ten metres wide and metal debris were found at the site.
Missile entered Poland during large-scale attack on Ukraine
The incident occurred during a large-scale Russian missile and drone attack on Ukraine. In response to the threat, Poland’s military command scrambled fighter jets, while air-raid sirens were activated in the country’s eastern regions.
Tusk said the Polish authorities would analyse every aspect of the state’s response to the airspace violation.
He stressed that strengthening Ukraine’s air defences was the most effective way to reduce the risk of similar incidents occurring again.
