Tusk: Poland Was Not Target of Russian Missile

Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk said authorities had found “no indication” that Poland was deliberately targeted after a suspected Russian missile landed in Tarnawa Kolonia, in the Lublin Voivodeship.

Tusk visited the site with Defence Minister Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz and Interior Minister Marcin Kierwiński. He called for prosecutors and other authorities to establish the circumstances quickly, noting that the incident caused no casualties or damage.

The prime minister connected the impact to a large Russian missile attack on Ukraine. He said Ukrainian fighter aircraft had tracked missiles approaching the Polish border from around midnight and had attempted to intercept them.

Polish forces recorded two objects near the border. One entered Polish territory and left debris at the site. The second produced only a brief signal. Kosiniak-Kamysz later said it came close to crossing the border before turning back.

Military specialists believe the recovered fragments most likely came from a Russian Kh-101 cruise missile. Tusk said an explosion probably occurred on impact, pointing to a crater about 10 meters wide and up to five meters deep. The Kh-101 cruise missile reportedly has a range of over 5,000 kilometers.

Kosiniak-Kamysz said Polish forces had monitored more than 20 missiles flying or maneuvering near the border and had coordinated their response with Ukraine. He added that a Polish fighter pilot had authority to destroy the missile if it posed a direct threat to a populated area or building.

The currently on-going investigation is expected to determine the missile’s precise route and why it crossed into Polish airspace. Though, more than likely, Kremlin once again tested making provocative moves undermining NATO’s credibility.