The missile that landed in Polish territory, killing two people on November 15, was not a Russian attack but the incident has sparked fears of the spillover of the nearly nine-month war in Ukraine.
The incident has also triggered fears of an escalation of the Ukraine war.
After several anxious hours, NATO and Poland’s officials confirmed that initial information suggested the missile was not launched by Russia.
Polish President Andrzej Duda said that there was “no indication” that the missile that killed two people in a village in the southeast of the country was intended to hit Poland amid Russia’s war in neighboring Ukraine. “We have no evidence at the moment that it was a rocket launched by Russian forces,” Duda said. Media reports suggested that the attack could have been caused by the remains of a Russian missile intercepted by Ukrainian forces.
Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki said that it is “highly probable that it was fired by Ukrainian anti-aircraft defense”. Polish authorities said that the missiles were Russian-made probably an old S-300 rocket.
NATO defuses tensions over Poland attack
With the situation so fluid, Western leaders and the head of NATO military alliance urged calm and patience despite Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy calling it “a very significant escalation” and claiming that “Russian missiles hit Poland”.
NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg has maintained a cautious stance and did not immediately blamed Russia.
NATO chief that while they await the outcome of the ongoing investigation, but they had “no indication that this was the result of a deliberate attack” nor that Russia was preparing offensive military actions against NATO.
However, he emphasized that “This is not Ukraine’s fault. Russia bears ultimate responsibility as it continues its illegal war against Ukraine,” the NATO chief said.
A deliberate attack on NATO member Poland could trigger a collective military response under Article 5 by the alliance. But immediate clarifications from the alliance and Poland and NATO officials have said the missile explosion was accidental. Polish and other Western media are also reporting that the explosions might Besides, NATO members have no interest in escalating the current war into a conflict between NATO and Russia.
Biden and G7 condemn attacks
The United States, NATO and others expressed support for Poland’s position, though the investigation was still ongoing.
U.S. President Joe Biden convened an emergency meeting with world leaders to discuss the matter on the sidelines of the G20 summit in Bali, Indonesia.
NATO and the Group of Seven (G7) leaders in a joint statement extended support for the Ukrainian people and condemned “barbaric missile attacks” by Russia on Ukraine.
“We discussed the explosion that took place in the eastern part of Poland near the border with Ukraine. We offer our full support for and assistance with Poland’s ongoing investigation. We agree to remain in close touch to determine the appropriate next steps as the investigation proceeds” the statement said.
Here’s what you should know about the attack
- A missile fired into Polish territory near the Ukraine border killed two Polish farm workers on November 15
- Zelenskyy blamed Russia which denied involvment
- Poland said that the explosion was most likely an accident caused by Ukrainian air defense responding to a Russian missile barrage
- NATO said it was not an intentional attack by Russia on the territory of the Western alliance but “Russia bears ultimate responsibility” due to its ongoing war in Ukraine
- Biden called an emergency meeting of allies at G20 summit in Indonesia, and pledged “full U.S support for and assistance with Poland’s investigation”
- Kyiv called for a joint international investigative commission at the site in Poland