A missile with the capability of carrying nuclear warheads from Russia struck Poland, according to officials. The Kh-101 cruise missile detonated upon impact in eastern Poland, a member of NATO, early Thursday, as stated by Poland’s deputy minister of national defence, Cezary Tomczyk. Tomczyk highlighted the potential danger posed by the missile.
Despite causing no injuries, the missile created a significant 10-meter-wide crater near Tarnawa Kolonia village in the Lublin province, approximately 57 miles from Poland’s border with Ukraine. This incident coincided with Russia’s launching of missile and drone attacks on Ukraine, resulting in the deaths of at least 10 civilians and more than 50 injuries.
Following the missile’s entry into Poland, NATO deployed fighter jets in response. NATO’s secretary general, Mark Rutte, condemned the action as “another reckless act by Russia and a perilous outcome of its conflict with Ukraine.”
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk clarified that although all signs pointed to the missile being a Russian Kh-101, there was no indication that Poland was the intended target.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy reported that at least 10 regions in Ukraine were targeted in the assault, leading to the destruction of numerous homes and buildings. Russia fired over 70 missiles, including many ballistic ones, according to the president.
Ukraine managed to intercept more than 260 of approximately 280 attack drones launched. The Russian defense ministry disclosed that Ukrainian airbases, arms factories, military communication and logistics facilities, drone factories, storage depots, as well as missile, aircraft repair, electronics, and chemical plants were targeted.
Over 56,000 individuals sought shelter in underground stations in Kyiv as the capital faced ballistic missile attacks. One man was killed, and two others were wounded during the attacks.
Kyiv’s foreign minister, Andrii Sybiha, emphasized that the missile incident in Poland underscored the importance of bolstering Ukraine’s air defenses for broader European security.
In response to the missile alert, NATO mobilized fighter jets, an attack helicopter, two other aircraft, and activated ground defenses. The Polish military reported that the missile swiftly vanished from radar.
Ukraine also retaliated against Russia, claiming to have shot down 258 drones. Oleg Melnichenko, governor of Russia’s Penza region, reported four injuries after a depot belonging to the online retailer Wildberries was set on fire.
Further warehouses owned by the same company were reportedly targeted.
