In the early hours of Wednesday, August 20, there was a loud explosion in a cornfield situated in eastern Poland, which created a significant crater and shattered nearby windows. Surprisingly, Polish military officials announced there were no indications of any violations of their airspace, suggesting everything was clear.
The event transpired in the village of Osiny, and thankfully, no injuries have been reported so far. As the investigation unfolds, both police and military officials are diving deeper into what caused this bang.
Due to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, Poland has raised its alert levels, frequently scrambling fighter jets in response to Russian air assaults across the border.
According to a statement from Poland’s Armed Forces Operational Command, their radar systems did not record any unlawful entries into Polish airspace during that night, whether from Ukraine or Belarus. They also shared their initial findings indicating that the object involved in the explosion might be some sort of aged engine part, likely with a propeller, although a thorough examination is ongoing.
The vigilance of Poland’s air defense system remains high, as they continue to monitor the airspace around the clock to ensure the safety and security of the nation.
Discovery of Charred Debris After Loud Blast
Upon receiving calls about the explosion at around 2 a.m. local time, police found charred metal and plastic remnants scattered throughout the field. Marcin Józwik, a staff sergeant from the police unit in Łuków, indicated that the fragments were notably burnt and spread across a wide area.
Local news station, Łuków.TV, shared that an object resembling part of a propeller had also been located at the site. They broadcasted a video clip from a resident showing a brilliant light streaking through the night sky before the bang rung out.
One unidentified local recounted, “The loud bang roused me from sleep and made my windows rattle. Initially, I saw nothing outside. It was only with the dawn that I noticed the glow of police vehicle lights.‘‘
It’s worth noting that back in November 2022, a missile struck a grain facility in southern Poland, claiming two lives. Following investigations concluded that it was an air defense missile launched by Ukraine. Additionally, Polish authorities had found debris in a forest in eastern Poland earlier this year, which was traced back to a Russian Kh-55 cruise missile aimed at Ukraine from Belarus.
Update 8/20/25, 3:41 a.m. ET: This article has been enriched with updated information.
