On Thursday, an object entered Polish airspace and subsequently crashed near the village of Tarnawa-Kolonia, approximately 80 kilometers from the Polish-Ukrainian border. Polish Defense Minister Ireneusz Nowak stated that the object was “most likely” a Russian Ch-101 cruise missile.
In relation to this incident, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk commented on social media (platform X), noting that the intrusion into Polish airspace occurred during the massive Russian rocket attacks targeting western Ukraine. Tusk stressed that the military, police, state fire services, and intelligence agencies are collaborating closely. He also confirmed that he is maintaining constant contact with the President of the Republic of Poland and the NATO Command, adding that leaders of other European nations have expressed their unconditional solidarity and readiness to provide any necessary assistance regarding the airspace violation.
The Prime Minister further explained that there is no reason to assume that Poland was the targeted destination of the missile. He confirmed that Ukrainian armed forces had attempted to intercept the cruise missile, and there was no immediate threat because the object did not strike a built-up area. Should the missile have continued its flight, they were prepared to shoot it down.
