At the same time as new massive Russian airstrikes on Ukraine, a missile fell on the territory of NATO member Poland on Tuesday. At least two people died. This resulted in a series of crisis meetings between the G7 countries and NATO partners, many of whom met heads of state and government for the G20 summit in Bali on Wednesday.
According to US President Joe Biden, initial findings about the missile’s trajectory indicate that it was not launched from Russia. Instead, there are apparently indications that it is an anti-aircraft missile from Ukraine.
What is known so far about the missile impact?
According to the Polish Ministry of Foreign Affairs, it is a Russian-made missile. It struck Tuesday afternoon on the grounds of a farm in Przewodow – a village in the far east of the country, less than ten kilometers from the border with Ukraine. Two Polish citizens were killed.
Who fired the missile?
Even after closing time there was no reliable information about this. Polish President Andrzej Duda said: “We know that there has been a Russian missile attack on Ukraine almost all day. But we currently have no conclusive evidence as to who fired the missile. The investigation is ongoing.”
Speaking on the sidelines of the G20 summit on Wednesday, Biden said the missile’s trajectory made it “unlikely” that it was launched from Russia. Later, at one of the closed-door crisis meetings, he reported that the missile could be an anti-aircraft missile from Ukraine’s stockpile.
What is known about the missile?
For experts, the first photos of debris at the point of impact pointed to a missile from the S-300 air defense system. Biden would also have spoken about such a missile. The S-300 system is of Soviet design and is now an essential part of Ukrainian anti-aircraft defense against Russian attacks. On Tuesday alone, Russia fired more than 90 missiles and cruise missiles in Kiev, according to the tally.
How does Poland react?
The NATO state between Germany and Ukraine put parts of its armed forces on high alert. Warsaw also summoned the Russian ambassador and alerted NATO. A government spokesman then explained that it has been decided with the NATO allies to investigate whether there is reason to initiate the procedures of Article 4 of the NATO treaty. The permanent representatives of the alliance states to NATO in Brussels wanted to meet for an emergency meeting on Wednesday morning.
What does Article 4 regulate?
It provides for consultations between NATO states if one of them sees the integrity of its territory, political independence or its own security threatened. Specifically, it states: “The Parties will consult with each other if, in the opinion of either Party, the integrity of the area, the political independence or the security of any Party is threatened.” This does not necessarily lead to concrete reactions.
According to NATO, the article has been consulted seven times since the alliance was founded in 1949 – most recently on February 24, the day of the Russian invasion of Ukraine. This was requested at the time by Bulgaria, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Romania, Slovakia and the Czech Republic.
Why does not Poland apply for the alliance case under Article 5?
Because so far there is no evidence that the missile was fired specifically at the Polish village. Article 5 stipulates that NATO states regard an armed attack against one or more partners as an attack against all. Hence the duty.
Article 5 has only been activated once – after the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks in the United States. This led to Germany and other NATO countries joining the war against the Taliban and the Al Qaeda terror organization in Afghanistan.
How do the Polish partners react?
The heads of state and government of the seven major Western democracies (G7) heard about the missile’s impact at the G20 summit in Bali more than 11,000 kilometers away. Most of them were dining outside at the time of the explosion. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, who represented Kremlin chief Vladimir Putin, had already left the Indonesian island by that point. The morning after, Biden then called the crisis meeting. A statement was later released saying: “We offer Poland our full support and assistance with the ongoing investigation.” At the same time, Russia was held responsible for “barbaric attacks”. (SDA)
Source: Blick
I am Amelia James, a passionate journalist with a deep-rooted interest in current affairs. I have more than five years of experience in the media industry, working both as an author and editor for 24 Instant News. My main focus lies in international news, particularly regional conflicts and political issues around the world.
