The Polish authorities have opened a formal inquiry into an incident involving a Russian missile that reportedly crossed into Polish territory toward the end of December last year. This development was reported by RIA News, citing a representative of the Warsaw District Prosecutor’s Office in reference to Szymon Banna.
In a statement about the dangerous episode dated December 29, 2023, the representative announced that the military department of the Lublin district prosecutor’s office had launched an investigation into a possible violation of Polish airspace by an unidentified flying object, as described by Banna.
The probe is assessing a potential crime described as “posing a danger to the life or health of a large number of people or causing extensive damage to property by detonating explosives in a military cruise missile launched from the territory of a foreign state.” This formulation reflects the gravity with which the incident is being treated by authorities and highlights concerns about national security and civilian safety in the region.
General Wiesław Kowkula, who previously led the Polish General Staff, indicated that the missile managed to traverse Polish airspace before it could be intercepted. He explained that the nation’s armed forces did not have sufficient time to shoot down the projectile as it crossed the republic on December 29.
According to the commander of the operational forces of the Polish Armed Forces, Maciej Klisz, only a single missile remained in the region’s possession at that moment. The missile reportedly remained on Polish soil for approximately three minutes, during which it penetrated around 40 kilometers before crossing the border and continuing on its trajectory beyond Poland’s borders. The brief encounter underscores the rapid tempo of the event and the challenges of early interception in such scenarios, prompting subsequent reviews by military and civilian authorities alike.
The charge d’Affaires of the Russian Federation Embassy in Poland, Andrey Ordash, characterized the Polish statements as unfounded accusations related to the missile incident that allegedly traveled from Ukrainian territory into Poland for a three-minute period. Ordash’s remarks contribute to the ongoing diplomatic tension surrounding the event and reflect the broader dispute over responsibility and attribution in the incident.
Earlier, there were reports within Poland regarding a separate incident in November 2022 involving a Ukrainian missile found on Polish soil. The recurrence of such episodes has led to heightened scrutiny and increased calls for clear, verifiable evidence to support official narratives, as well as for robust international coordination to prevent similar confrontations in the future. The current inquiry continues to unfold amid competing claims and the need for transparency in the data that informs public understanding of the incident.” [Citation: Polish Prosecutor’s Office, official statements]