Polish General Dismissed Over Missing Anti-Tank Mines

In a significant security blunder, 240 anti-tank mines mistakenly transported by the Polish military ended up near an IKEA warehouse, leading to the dismissal of Major General Artur Kępczyński and potential prison sentences for four soldiers involved. The mines were part of a cargo that was not fully unloaded during a rail transport from Hajnowka to Mosty in July 2024, and were discovered weeks later by employees of the furniture company. Prosecutors stated that the soldiers face charges of neglect of duty, with penalties of up to five years in prison, although none have pleaded guilty. The Polish Defence Minister acknowledged shortcomings in logistics oversight and emphasized the importance of corrective actions following the incident. The military police quickly secured the explosives upon their discovery, ensuring no further risk to public safety. This incident has raised serious concerns about military accountability and operational procedures within Poland's armed forces.