Poland says ‘nuclear capable’ missile from Russia exploded in country as WW3 fears soar | World | News

An object that crashed into a field in Poland was a Russian missile capable of carrying nuclear warheads, the NATO ally has said. Poland’s Deputy Minister of National Defence said the Kh-101 cruise missile “exploded” when it hit landed in a field in the east of the country.

Cezary Tomczyk described the missile as “potentially very dangerous” to local broadcaster TVN24. There were no injuries or damage in the shocking incident which risks deepening icy tensions between Moscow and NATO. The missile reportedly left a huge 10-metre wide (33ft) crater near the village of Tarnawa Kolonia, 57 miles from Poland’s border with Ukraine.

It came as Russia launched a huge ballistic missile and drone barrage across Ukraine overnight into Thursday.

Officials said at least 10 civilians, including children, were killed and more than 50 others were injured.

NATO fighter jets were scrambled in response to the rogue missile which strayed into Polish airspace.

The alliance’s Secretary General Mark Rutte said it was “yet another reckless act by Russia and a dangerous consequence of its war against Ukraine.”

Poland’s Prime Minister Donald Tusk earlier said “all the indications” were that the missile was a Russian Kh-101.

Mr Tusk, who visited the site where the missile landed in Lublin province, said it was a “very serious incident”.

However, he stressed: “There are absolutely no reasons to believe that Poland was the target.”

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said at least 10 Ukrainian regions were attacked in the blitz by Vladimir Putin‘s forces.

He said dozens of homes, businesses and infrastructure facilities were destroyed or damage.

Mr Zelensky said more than 70 missiles — many ballistic — were launched by Russia, while Ukraine intercepted more than 260 of the around 280 attack drones fired.

Russia’s defence ministry said it targeted Ukrainian airbases, arms factories and military telecommunications and logistics facilities, including drone factories and storage depots, as well as plants for missiles, aircraft repairs, electronics and chemicals.

Authorities said more than 56,000 people sheltered in Kyiv’s underground stations overnight as the capital was attacked by ballistic missiles.

A 31-year-old man was killed and two others were wounded.

The widespread attacks suggest Moscow is looking to exploit Kyiv’s shortage of Western-supplied anti-ballistic missile defences.

It came two days after Mr Zelensky met US President Donald Trump and representatives of American defence firms as he appeals for qucker and bigger deliveries of Patriot air defense systems.

The war in Iran has drained stockpiles of the US-made interceptors which can wipe out Russian ballistic missiles.

On X, Kyiv’s Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha said the missile incident in Poland was a clear demonstration that strengthening Ukraine’s air defences would also guarantee wider European security.

A NATO spokesperson said as well as fighter jets, an attack helicopter and two other aircraft were scrambled in response to the missile alert.

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