Russian Missile Likely Crashed in Eastern Poland, PM Tusk Says

A n object that came down in eastern Poland overnight appears to be a Russia n missile, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk said on Thursday , after authorities found a crater and scattered debris in a field following reports of an explosion. Poland scrambled fighter jets to secure its airspace after Russia n airstrikes killed at least eight people in neighboring Ukraine in attacks that extended as far as the western city of Lviv. "All the indications are that it was a Russia n Kh-101 ballistic missile, but we want to be 100% certain about the type of missile and who launched it," Tusk told an emergency meeting. "There was no direct threat because the missile landed in an uninhabited area. We were ready to shoot it down had it continued its flight," he added. Ukraine's Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha h ad said earlier in a post on X that a Russia n Kh-101 cruise missile crossed into Poland . The Russia n Embassy in Warsaw did not immediately respond to an emailed request for comment. The operational command of Poland's armed forces said earlier on X that "An unidentified object moving westward was detected in Polish airspace, " adding that it disappeared from radars soon after it was seen at 3:40 a.m. local time. A Mi-24 helicopter that went to the object's last location to verify and confirm the radar data pinpointed the likely crash site, it added. "A helicopter crew located the probable crash site of the object in an undeveloped area near the village of Tarnawa-Kolonia in Lublin province," it said. The object left a crater about 10 meters (33 feet) wide, the interior ministry added on X. According to local authorities, it was located in farmland about 2 kilometers (1.2 miles) from residential buildings. Police in the Lublin region said they received a report of a loud bang in Bilgoraj county, between the villages of Tarnawa-Kolonia and Biskupice. "Officers discovered a crater and scattered debris from an unidentified object in a field located about 2 kilometers from the nearest buildings, between the villages," the police added on X. Sirens sounded in Lublin for a few minutes to warn against possible Russia n strikes, media reported. A Message from The Moscow Times: Dear readers, We are facing unprecedented challenges. Russia's Prosecutor General's Office has designated The Moscow Times as an "undesirable" organization, criminalizing our work and putting our staff at risk of prosecution. This follows our earlier unjust labeling as a "foreign agent." These actions are direct attempts to silence independent journalism in Russia. The authorities claim our work "discredits the decisions of the Russian leadership." We see things differently: we strive to provide accurate, unbiased reporting on Russia. We, the journalists of The Moscow Times, refuse to be silenced. But to continue our work, we need your help . Your support, no matter how small, makes a world of difference. If you can, please support us monthly starting from just $ 2. It's quick to set up, and every contribution makes a significant impact. By supporting The Moscow Times, you're defending open, independent journalism in the face of repression. Thank you for standing with us. Once Monthly Annual Continue Not ready to support today? Remind me later .