Polish president says no indication blast was intentional attack on Poland

By Jo Harper

WARSAW (AA) – Poland’s president said on Wednesday that there is no indication Tuesday’s blast near the border was an intentional attack on the country, referring to the explosion on Tuesday in the village of Przewodow, eastern Poland.

"Most likely, it was an unfortunate accident," Andrzej Duda said, adding that "there is absolutely no circumstantial evidence to conclude that this was an attack on Poland." He also said, in line with other leaders’ remarks: "There is a high probability that it was a missile of Ukrainian air defense."

Those remarks echoed the words of US President Joe Biden, who told the G-7 countries and NATO partners that the explosion was likely the result of Ukrainian air defense activities.

Russia has denied its missiles got anywhere near the Polish border, and also said Ukrainian air defense was among the debris.

Initial findings suggest that the missile that hit Poland was fired by Ukrainian forces at an incoming Russian missile, news outlets reported on Wednesday, citing US officials.

An international investigation is ongoing. “All details are being examined. When we are sure what happened, it will be made public," said Agnieszka Scigaj, the minister for social integration.

The victims of the explosion were two men: a farmer and an employee of the local grain plant. Both died on the spot.

"I know the victims, one of them was my classmate, about 60 years old. I also knew the other well, we always greeted each other,” a local told Polish online news Onet.

The younger of the men was about 50.

Some witnesses report that just before the explosion, two falling objects were visible in the sky.