Polish Prosecutors Enlist Ukrainian Expertise as Investigation Into Tarnawa-Kolonia Object Deepens

During a press briefing on Thursday, July 30, Lublin prosecutors confirmed that a Ukrainian specialist is heading to the site in Tarnawa-Kolonia to help identify the unidentified fallen object.

Ukrainian Expert Joins Investigation

On Thursday, July 30, during another press briefing, Grzegorz Trusiewicz, head of the District Prosecutor’s Office in Lublin, confirmed that the Polish side will utilize assistance from Ukraine.

Tarnawa-Kolonia. The Lublin prosecutor’s office provided new information regarding the unidentified object.

One specialist, who has participated in dozens of such incidents in Ukraine, is heading to the scene. He will assist Polish prosecutors and the entire investigative team. We would primarily like to identify this device, the prosecutor informed journalists after 1:00 PM.

Chemical Analysis at the Impact Crater

Chemical substances are currently being secured within the crater and will undergo specialized testing. The primary focus is on the presence of explosives and other specific substances, and the crater itself will also be examined, the prosecutor added.

Trusiewicz previously stated that the crater is approximately 10 meters in diameter and 5 meters deep. Debris from the object is scattered within a radius of approximately 200 meters.

Unofficial Reports Point to Russian Kh-101 Cruise Missile

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha reported that a Russian Kh-101 cruise missile violated Polish airspace. Prime Minister Donald Tusk and Defense Minister Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysh stated that this is the most probable version, though official confirmation is still lacking.

Operational Commander of the Armed Forces, Maj. Gen. Pilot Ireneusz Nowak, PhD, reported at a coordination team meeting that two missiles were detected that directly threatened Poland. I was ready to issue an order to shoot down. Our fighters were in the exact area where the missile hit the ground. If the rocket had continued its flight, we were ready to shoot it down, he added.

Airspace Violations and Defense Readiness

When pressed later by journalists about a second incident, the Minister of Defense clarified that in the second situation, Polish airspace was not crossed. In the second situation, there was no crossing. It was close, explained Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysh.

Later, the Deputy Prime Minister stated that the second object turned back before the border. So we are dealing with one confirmed, very tangible crossing, he said, adding that the second potential threat led to the activation of all systems.

Characteristics of the Kh-101 Missile

The Kh-101 is a missile primarily carried by Tu-95MS and Tu-160 bombers. According to the defense industry website Missile Threat, it is designed for precision strikes against ground targets from a distance exceeding 2,500 kilometers, flying at a very low altitude and utilizing inertial navigation systems, GLONASS, and terrain contour matching to make detection difficult.

More information soon.