Polish soldier stabbed at the border dies in hospital

On Thursday, in the afternoon hours, a soldier from the 1st Armored Brigade was fatally stabbed at the Military Medical Institute in Warsaw, as reported by the General Command of the Armed Forces.

The General Command of the Armed Forces released a statement on Thursday afternoon. It began with a fragment of the military oath: "... to spare neither own blood nor life."

"With sadness, we inform that on June 6th, in the afternoon hours, the soldier from the 1st Armored Brigade, who was stabbed, passed away at the Military Medical Institute in Warsaw, surrounded by the support of family and soldiers," the general command added.

"Despite the assistance provided in the area of the thuggish attack on the border with Belarus and the efforts of doctors, his life could not be saved."

The statement added that "the family of the deceased soldier has been provided with psychological support and care". "Additional assistance, both psychological and organizational, will be continued depending on the family's will."

"Mateusz, Our Brother in service, you fulfilled the words of the oath. Rest in peace," we read.

The soldier was attacked on May 28th in early morning hours at the border section near Dubicze Cerkiewne (Podlaskie Voivodeship). He was stabbed in the chest.

The spokesperson for the District Prosecutor's Office in Warsaw, Piotr Skiba, informed that an autopsy of the deceased soldier would be conducted on Friday. "The autopsy will be conducted tomorrow at the Department of Forensic Medicine of the Medical University of Warsaw," he informed.

Asked about the potential change in the classification of the offense from attempted murder to murder, the prosecutor noted that it was not being considered.

"Any change depends on the results of the autopsy, although the autopsy itself is just one aspect; other examinations will likely be necessary. Only the final medical opinion resulting from the autopsy will serve as a foundation for determining specific grounds for a potential change in the classification of the offense, whether we are dealing with attempted murder that resulted in severe bodily harm, which in turn resulted in death, or another classification," he explained.

Skiba added that obtaining opinions in this regard is crucial for the further course of action. The spokesperson stated that the offense is currently classified as attempted murder. "The case was taken over by the District Prosecutor's Office in Warsaw, Military Affairs Department, for further investigation," he said.

The prosecutor also stressed that the perpetrator of the stabbing has not been apprehended. "At present, we don't even know the identity of this person. The knife in this case has been secured - along with all other evidence collected in this case and handed over to the District Prosecutor's Office in Warsaw, and it will certainly be analyzed for potential use during expert opinions or reconstruction examinations," he added.

Prime Minister Donald Tusk addressed the tragic news on X.

"A young soldier, Mateusz, gave his life in defense of Poland's border. The homeland and fellow citizens will not forget his sacrifice. I extend my deepest condolences to his loved ones," he wrote on social media.

The Minister of National Defense also published a post regarding the soldier's death.

"With deep sorrow, we bid farewell to our soldier Mateusz, who, despite the efforts of doctors, passed away after a gang attack during the defense of the Polish border. His sacrifice and dedication to the Fatherland are an example of the highest courage. We join in grief with his family and loved ones. Honor to his memory!" he wrote.