On Thursday, Deputy Head of the Ministry of Defence (MON) Cezary Tomczyk referred in the Sejm to the case of lost anti-tank mines. He explained that immediate corrective action was taken as a consequence of the incident, trainings were carried out and retention conditions were checked. He besides stressed that the transport of mines took place in accordance with procedures – in an unarmed state. president Andrzej Duda was informed of the situation from the beginning.
Missing rounds of anti-tank mines
The event took place in the summertime of 2024 close Szczecin, erstwhile soldiers during the unloading of the train with military equipment did not unload the full transport. Eventually, anti-tank mines were found in IKEA magazine. It was only through the media that news of the incidental came to the public, which was met with criticism from the opposition.
PiS MP Andrzej Plumka asked in the Sejm why the Ministry of Defence did not inform about the incidental directly, only the media did. Vice-President MON replied that the persons liable for unloading did not study deficiencies to their superior, and 1 of the soldiers falsely declared that the transport ran smoothly.
Recovery and consequences
According to Tomczyk's account, following the detection of irregularities by the Operational Centre of the Minister of National Defence, the control was initiated and a commission was established in 2 Regional Logistics Databases. The audit confirmed the deficiency of oversight of combat measures and informed the applicable authorities, including military gendarmerie and Military Counterintelligence Service. The Minister of National Defence issued an order to draw out severe consequences for the guilty and to amend the procedures.
The head of the MON besides ordered training for staff and checking all retention states. After the incident, Major General Artur Kępczyński was recalled as head of the Armed Forces Support Inspectorate, replacing him with Brigadier General Dariusz Mendrala.
Prosecutor's investigation
The Poznań territory Attorney's Office has been investigating the disappearance of mines since August 2024. Deputy territory lawyer for Military Affairs, Colonel Bartosz Okoniewski, reported that 4 soldiers were charged. They concern the deficiency of oversight of military property. 2 suspects are officers and the others are officers. They all stay in active military service. any have confessed.
The D.A. explained that the correct calculation of the burden at the time of the transport was not carried out, leading to the leaving of 5 pallets with mines in the wagon on the railway siding at the IKEA warehouse. A box of mines was discovered by a PKP Cargo worker during the inspection.
Penalties and provisions
According to the Polish Criminal Code, a soldier who does not fulfil his work or exceeds his powers of supervision of weapons or ammunition is in danger of being punished by military detention or imprisonment from 3 months to 5 years. In the event of failure of anti-tank mines, the investigation has revealed unintentional actions by the defendants.
Conclusions and future actions
The case of lost anti-tank mines highlighted the request to improve military procedures and control. The Defence Ministry has taken steps to minimise the hazard of akin incidents in the future, including through training and tightening of surveillance rules. These activities aim to strengthen safety and reconstruct assurance in Polish armed forces.
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The silent case of the anti-tank mines found in IKEA returns
