Ukrainian pilot tracked Russian missile to Poland's border

A Russian missile strayed into Polish airspace during a large-scale attack on Ukraine, and was tracked by a Ukrainian pilot until it was mere seconds from the border, according to Poland's Deputy Defense Minister Cezary Tomczykas.

Tomczykas stated that approximately 20 missiles flew towards the Polish border during the Russian assault. One of these missiles, which ultimately landed in the Lublin Voivodeship, was followed by a Ukrainian pilot. The pilot had to turn back roughly 20 seconds before reaching the Polish border. Tomczykas explained that continuing closer could have led Polish air defense forces to perceive the Ukrainian aircraft as a potential threat.

While Ukrainian air defenses successfully neutralized most of the missiles targeting western Ukraine, this particular missile could not be intercepted. Regarding whether Russia intentionally launched the missile towards Poland, Tomczykas suggested that "all sorts of options are possible." He drew a parallel to drone incidents on September 10 last year, which he firmly stated were not accidental but deliberate provocations designed to test the alliance.

"We have no illusions – such situations or similar provocations will be repeated," Tomczykas warned. Polish media reported that air raid sirens sounded in the Lublin Voivodeship on Thursday night amidst the mass Russian attack on Ukraine. Following reports of an explosion, authorities discovered a crater approximately 10 meters in diameter near the village of Tarnawa Kolonia. Ukraine's Foreign Ministry confirmed that a Russian Kh-101 missile had entered Poland.

“

We have no illusions – such situations or similar provocations will be repeated.