At night on August 19‑20, a drone exploded over Osiny near Łuków, sending a shockwave that shattered windows and scattered burning metal and plastic across a cornfield. Initial investigations suggest the wreckage was that of a Russian military drone, though authorities have not yet confirmed its exact type. The incident, still under review for possible sabotage, has sparked intense scrutiny from military and civilian bodies alike.
Crash Details
During the night of August 19‑20, a drone detonated over Osiny in the Łuków county, part of the Lublin province. The explosion produced a shockwave strong enough to break the windows of several nearby houses. In the cornfield where the crash occurred, investigators found scattered metal and plastic fragments that had been burned.
Investigation Findings
The police, the army, and the prosecutor’s office were dispatched to the site. Investigators secured the area, performed forensic examinations—including a 3‑D scan of the crash zone—and ruled out the possibility that the drone was civilian or smuggled. Preliminary reports by the Lublin District Prosecutor’s Office indicate the object was most likely a military drone that disappeared after an explosive charge detonated.
National and Military Response
The Joint Forces Command of the Polish Armed Forces announced that no violation of Polish airspace had been recorded. In a statement, they suggested that the recovered component might have been part of an old engine with a propeller. Polish Defence Minister Władysław Kosiniak‑Kamysz confirmed that various scenarios—including sabotage—are being examined, but that definitive conclusions will only come after expert analysis is complete. During a press conference he confirmed the drone was Russian.
Speculation and Public Outcry
Media reports have linked the incident to Russian combat drones such as the Shahed‑136 or Shahed‑131, used by Russia in Ukraine attacks. Reuters has discussed these possibilities with diplomats. The prosecutor’s office noted that fragments of the drone bore Korean inscriptions. Public reaction has been mixed; social media users have criticized the government for its perceived lack of vigilance, while military experts point to the rarity of a single, undetected drone entering Polish airspace.
Source: MiejskiReporter,
