In a scene that looked like something straight out of a surreal comedy film or a video game gone wrong, residents of the small Polish town of Pajęczno were left stunned in June 2019 when a Soviet-era T-55 tank rumbled into the town — not during a military parade, but driven by two drunken men on their way to a liquor store.
According to reports from local Polish media outlet TVN24, the tank made an unexpected appearance on the streets shortly after 10 PM. Witnesses said they were first alerted by the loud rumbling sound and were shocked to see the massive, tracked vehicle roll up to the front of a nearby off-license shop.
The vehicle in question was a decommissioned Soviet T-55, a Cold War-era main battle tank that once served in the armies of the Warsaw Pact. In modern times, these tanks are often privately owned for exhibitions or historical displays, but in this instance, it became a vessel for chaos.
Local police were quickly dispatched to the scene after several panicked calls from citizens. Officers arrived to find the tank parked outside the store, with the men appearing to be attempting to buy more alcohol. The tank, which was not road-legal, had no license plate or proper registration.
Upon questioning, the driver—a 49-year-old man—was found to be heavily intoxicated, according to a breathalyzer test administered on the scene. His friend, who accompanied him, was also under the influence. The police determined that the driver had taken the tank from a nearby property where it was being stored legally as a collector’s item. However, he had no permission to operate it on public roads.
Interestingly, while the tank had been demilitarized and could not fire any ammunition, it still had a functioning engine and steering mechanism. The sheer fact that it was drivable — and driven — raised serious safety concerns.
The driver was immediately arrested and charged with endangering public safety, unauthorized operation of a military vehicle, and driving under the influence. He faced up to two years in prison under Polish law.
Thankfully, no one was injured during the incident, and the tank was later towed away from the scene. The story quickly went viral, both in Poland and internationally, being covered by various global media outlets including BBC News, The Independent, and RT.
Social media had a field day with the story. Memes and jokes flooded Twitter and Reddit, with users dubbing the incident things like “Vodka & Tanks Tour” and “Fast & Furious: Eastern Bloc Edition.” The mix of Cold War nostalgia and modern-day absurdity made it internet gold.
This incident stands as a bizarre reminder of how alcohol and heavy machinery never mix — especially not retired tanks. Though it ended without tragedy, it also prompted authorities to revisit regulations surrounding the private ownership and operation of military vehicles.
Sources:
- TVN24.pl: https://tvn24.pl
- BBC News: “Polish man drives tank to booze store”
- The Independent: “Drunk man drives Soviet tank to shop in Poland”
