OSTRÓDA — A massive gun barrel belonging to one of the largest tanks of World War II has been dug out of the ground. The historically significant discovery was made on the grounds of the former White Barracks in Ostróda, Poland.

After the end of World War II, armored units were stationed at the former White Barracks in Ostróda. Over the years, the city was home to various Soviet-made tanks. There are strong indications that the IS-2, one of the largest tanks of its era, also arrived in the city. First produced in 1943, the tank was named in honor of Soviet leader Joseph Stalin, with the designation IS standing for Iosif Stalin.

Evidence of the tank’s presence in Ostróda emerged during construction work on a retail store on Sobieskiego Street. A tank component, believed to be a gun barrel of approximately 122 mm caliber, was reportedly excavated shortly before noon yesterday. The sight of the enormous barrel caused quite a stir among the construction crew. So far, the discovery of the heavy IS-2 tank gun barrel has apparently not been reported to the police. At least, no such report had been received by yesterday evening.

Meanwhile, under Poland’s Weapons and Ammunition Act, possessing a firearm or ammunition without the appropriate authorization is prohibited. The regulations are clear and fairly strict: even possessing a single cartridge can lead to legal trouble. The potential consequences of possessing an entire tank gun barrel could be even more serious.

According to our sources, collectors specializing in searching for postwar military relics had already arrived at the site yesterday. Enthusiasts who collect weapons from World War II believe the gun barrel could be a highly desirable find for collectors and historical reenactors.

The IS-2 first saw combat in Ukraine in early 1944. These tanks were formidable opponents of Germany’s Tiger tanks. By the end of the war, approximately 3,400 IS-1 and IS-2 tanks had been built in total.