Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk has stated that a Russian missile fell near the city of Lublin in eastern Poland, and that NATO forces were prepared to intercept it, according to reports from RaiNews.
The missile left a large crater in the ground close to the area where it is believed to have landed, RaiNews reports. Polish government officials have said the projectile that struck Polish territory is likely Russian, according to Il Post. The incident represents a violation of European Union airspace, which European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen called "unacceptable," ANSA reports.
NATO scrambled fighter jets in response to the missile's approach, according to Euronews. Tusk’s comments confirm that allied forces had a plan to shoot the missile down before it hit the ground, though it is not yet clear why that plan was not executed. The Polish government has not released details on casualties or damage beyond the crater itself.
The event comes amid an ongoing Russian attack on Ukraine, and Tusk has stated that Russian missiles violated Polish airspace, according to Tv2000. Von der Leyen has reiterated that the EU will continue to help Ukraine win the war, ANSA reports.
Authorities are expected to provide further information on the missile’s origin and the circumstances of the incident in the coming days.
