Polish investigation into deadly 2022 missile blast stalled over unanswered requests to Ukraine - RMF24
Polish prosecutors investigating a 2022 missile explosion that killed two people near the Ukrainian border have received no responses to their requests for legal assistance from Ukraine, leaving the investigation suspended for nearly three years, Polish broadcaster RMF24 reported on October 23.
The explosion occurred on November 15, 2022, at a grain-drying facility in the village of Przewodów, close to Poland's border with Ukraine. Two Polish men, aged 60 and 59, were killed.
According to RMF24, Polish investigators have repeatedly sent requests for international legal assistance to Ukrainian prosecutors, followed by reminders every few months, without receiving a response.
“They fall into a black hole,” one investigator told the broadcaster.
Despite the prolonged suspension, Polish prosecutors have decided not to close the investigation and will continue sending requests to Ukraine, RMF24 reported.
Polish investigators believe the missile that exploded in Przewodów most likely came from Ukraine's air defense system and that the deaths resulted from an accident. Ukraine has never confirmed that assessment.
The explosion occurred during a large-scale Russian missile attack on Ukraine, including its western regions.
Initial reports suggested a Russian missile had struck Polish territory. However, Polish authorities and NATO subsequently said the available evidence pointed to a Ukrainian air defense missile.
NATO stressed at the time that Russia bore ultimate responsibility for the incident because it had launched the missile attacks that prompted Ukraine's defensive response.
Ukraine's position on the latest reported requests from Polish prosecutors was not immediately available.
- Share: