Russian Missile Crashed in Poland, Ukrainian Jets Tried to Destroy Threats: Officials

Key Points:

• Ukrainian fighter jets attempted to shoot down Russian missiles near the Poland-Ukraine border, but at least one Russian Kh-101 missile breached Polish airspace and crashed inside Poland, according to NATO and Polish officials.
• Poland activated air and ground defenses, scrambling F-16s, a NATO refueling aircraft, an early warning plane, and a helicopter in response to the missile incursion.
• Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk confirmed the missile was a Russian Kh-101 and stated there is no evidence Poland was deliberately targeted; Ukrainian jets were actively trying to intercept missiles near the border.
• The missile created a large crater near Tarnawa-Kolonia, about 60 miles from the border, marking a rare instance of a Russian missile violating Polish airspace compared to previous drone incursions closer to the border.
• NATO remains in close contact with Polish authorities following this airspace violation, amid ongoing Russian drone and missile activity affecting NATO member countries in the region.