Russian-Origin Drone Damages Three Buildings in Polish Village of Osiny

A suspected Russian drone struck the village of Osiny in eastern Poland early Wednesday morning, causing an explosion that damaged three buildings. The incident occurred approximately 100 kilometers from the Ukrainian border, with authorities discovering propeller and engine components within a crater at the site. Police responded to reports around 2 a.m., finding burned metal and plastic debris, though no injuries were reported despite shattered windows in nearby homes.

Polish Defence Minister Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz later confirmed the drone was of Russian origin, describing the event as a "provocation." A spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs further indicated the drone was a Russian version of the Iranian-made Shahed model, which reportedly had a Chinese engine installed. Initial assessments by the Polish Armed Forces Operational Command stated that no violations of Polish airspace from neighboring Ukraine or Belarus had been recorded overnight, raising questions about the drone's trajectory and detection.

Lublin regional prosecutor Grzegorz Trusiewicz stated that preliminary findings indicated the object was "most likely a military drone" and was damaged by explosives. While the precise intent behind the drone's presence remains under investigation, the incident has prompted strong reactions from Warsaw. Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski condemned it as "another violation of our airspace from the East," emphasizing Poland's commitment to defending its territory within NATO.

Poland, a staunch supporter of Ukraine and a member of NATO and the European Union, has experienced previous airspace incursions since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine began. These incidents include a 2022 missile strike in Przewodów and a Russian Kh-55 cruise missile crash in 2023. The Osiny explosion coincides with ongoing Russian long-range attacks on Ukrainian cities using Shahed drones, further highlighting the ongoing security challenges in the region. Warsaw plans to lodge a formal protest with Moscow and brief NATO allies on the incident.