The National Security Bureau (BBN) announced today that "President Karol Nawrocki has asked the government to use all available tools and mechanisms to address, as quickly as possible, the information regarding the surface-to-air missile that hit a house in the village of Wyryki."
Polish media previously reported that an AIM-120C-7 AMRAAM air-to-air missile, launched from a Polish F-16 fighter jet, "missed its target and hit a house in Wyryki village," causing damage to the property. The incident occurred on 10/9 as the Polish military and NATO forces responded to an incursion by 19 unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), suspected to be Russian, into Polish airspace.
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A damaged house in Wyryki village, suspected to have been hit by an AIM-120C-7 missile on 10/9. Photo: East News |
A damaged house in Wyryki village, suspected to have been hit by an AIM-120C-7 missile on 10/9. Photo: East News
A Polish security source stated, "The missile's guidance system malfunctioned during flight. The missile did not explode because a safety device activated and disabled the detonator."
Maciej Korowaj, a former Polish intelligence officer, believes the damage to the house was caused by the missile's kinetic energy.
The BBN emphasized that officials would not conceal information, highlighting that President Nawrocki and security forces had not been informed about the incident. The issue was also not presented or clarified during meetings of the Polish National Security Council.
The AIM-120C-7, equipped with an active radar seeker, has a maximum range of over 100 km and a speed of nearly 5,000 km/h. It carries a fragmentation warhead weighing approximately 20 kg. Each AIM-120C-7 costs around 2 million USD and is compatible with most modern Western fighter jets.
Most of the UAVs that entered Polish airspace crashed in the eastern province of Lubelskie, but two flew to locations more than 300 km from the border. Polish air defense forces and stationed NATO units shot down at least 4 aircraft, while the others crashed after running out of fuel.
President Nawrocki assessed the UAV incursion as an attempt to test NATO's capabilities and response. "Russia wanted to check the alliance's mechanisms of action and responsiveness," he said.
Russia denied the reports, stating that it only targets within Ukraine and has no intention of targeting Polish territory. Moscow affirmed its willingness to consult with Warsaw on the matter.
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AIM-120C air-to-air missile. Photo: War Zone |
AIM-120C air-to-air missile. Photo: War Zone
NATO subsequently launched Operation Eastern Protector, deploying fighter jets and warships to strengthen air defenses in Poland and on the alliance's eastern flank. These included two F-16 fighter jets and an air defense frigate from Denmark, three Rafale fighter jets from France, and four Typhoon jets from Germany.
Nguyen Tien (According to War Zone, AFP, AP)
