A missile from Russia, capable of carrying nuclear warheads, struck Poland, as confirmed by officials. The Kh-101 cruise missile exploded upon impact in eastern Poland, a member of NATO, early Thursday, causing concern due to its potential danger, according to Poland’s deputy minister of national defense, Cezary Tomczyk.
Although the incident caused no injuries, it created a large 10-meter-wide crater near Tarnawa Kolonia village in the Lublin province, 57 miles from the Ukrainian border. This occurred simultaneously with Russia’s missile and drone assaults on Ukraine, resulting in the deaths of at least 10 civilians and injuries to over 50 individuals.
In response to the missile reaching Poland, NATO deployed fighter jets, with the alliance’s secretary general, Mark Rutte, condemning the act as another reckless move by Russia in its conflict with Ukraine.
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk stated that while all signs pointed to the missile being Russian Kh-101, there was no reason to believe that Poland was the intended target.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy reported that around 10 regions in Ukraine were attacked, leading to the destruction of numerous homes and buildings. Russia launched over 70 missiles, including many ballistic ones.
Ukraine managed to intercept most of the roughly 280 attack drones launched by Russia, with reports indicating the targeting of Ukrainian airbases, arms factories, and various military facilities. Amid these attacks, more than 56,000 people sought shelter in underground stations in Kyiv as the capital came under ballistic missile fire, resulting in casualties.
Kyiv’s Foreign Minister, Andrii Sybiha, emphasized that enhancing Ukraine’s air defenses would enhance broader European security, citing the missile incident in Poland as a prime example.
NATO confirmed the dispatch of fighter jets, an attack helicopter, and two other aircraft in response to the missile threat, along with the activation of ground defenses. The Polish military noted the rapid disappearance of the missile from radar.
Additionally, Ukraine retaliated against Russia, with the Kremlin claiming that 258 drones were downed. In the aftermath, a depot belonging to the Wildberries online retailer in Russia’s Penza region was set ablaze, resulting in injuries.
Multiple warehouses linked to the company were also reportedly targeted in the attacks.
