On Friday, during a broader Russian aerial assault on Ukraine that included areas near the Polish border, a Russian cruise missile briefly entered Polish airspace. The missile reportedly traveled about 40 kilometers (approximately 25 miles) over Warsaw’s territory. Initially, Poland’s military reported an unidentified object entering its airspace without providing details on its nature or outcome.
Subsequently, General Wieslaw Kukula, the Chief of the General Staff of the Polish armed forces, confirmed that “everything indicates that a Russian missile entered Polish airspace” and clarified that it eventually exited the airspace. The incident adds to the escalating tensions and risks associated with the ongoing conflict in the region.
Following the incident where a Russian cruise missile briefly entered Polish airspace, Poland took diplomatic action by summoning the Russian charge d’affaires to demand an explanation for the violation. The Polish Foreign Ministry released a statement indicating that, in addition to seeking clarification, they called for an immediate cessation of such activities. This move underscores the seriousness with which Poland views the breach of its airspace and emphasizes the need for diplomatic resolution amid the heightened tensions in the region. a broader Russian aerial
Following the talks, Russia’s charge d’affaires in Warsaw, Andrei Ordash, stated that Poland had not provided any evidence of a border violation by a Russian missile. The diplomat mentioned that he received a note containing an “unsubstantiated claim” asserting that on the morning of December 29, an airborne object, identified by Polish specialists as a Russian guided missile, violated Polish airspace. According to reports, Ordash asserted that no proof was presented during the talks, and his request for documented evidence supporting the claim in the note was reportedly refused. This exchange highlights the diplomatic challenges and differing perspectives surrounding the reported airspace violation.