According to media reports and statements by senior security officials, two Russian rockets landed on Polish territory in the village of Przewodów near the Ukrainian border. It is said to be “stray” missiles. Previously, Russia had started massive rocket fire in Ukraine, the Ukrainian Air Force spoke of 100 missiles.
According to the AP news agency, an American security official is said to have confirmed that it was Russian missiles that triggered the explosions in Poland.
A spokesman for the US State Department said Tuesday evening that the department was aware of the report but did not currently have information to confirm it. The Pentagon is now examining the reports, the AP news agency reports. A spokesman stressed, however, that the US would defend “every inch” of NATO territory.
Meanwhile, the former head of Poland’s National Security Bureau, Stanisław Koziej, told TVN24: “We have to wait for a detailed explanation of this situation. I assume that this is an incident, a mistake that is due to the fact that Russia is using older and less precise types of missiles.”
Two people are said to have died in the explosions. The local fire brigade confirmed explosions to local media – but stated that the reason for this was not yet known. The explosions are said to have occurred near a grain drying plant.
Meanwhile, a Polish TV station posted a short video on Twitter that is said to show the grain plant after the explosions. It shows a wrecked tractor surrounded by rubble.
Poland’s Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki then convened the Council of Ministers for National Security and Defense, according to the Polish government spokesman.
According to the PAP news agency, the cabinet of the NATO member country should meet at 9:00 p.m. CET. A statement from the government in Moscow was initially not available.
Latvian Defense Minister Artis Pabriks tweeted his condolences, blaming Russia for the attack: “The criminal Russian regime fired missiles that not only targeted Ukrainian civilians but also landed on NATO territory in Poland. Latvia fully stands with its Polish friends and condemns this crime.”
The Estonian Ministry of Foreign Affairs also made a clear statement about the incident: They are consulting closely with Poland and the other allies, it said on Twitter. “Estonia is ready to defend every inch of NATO territory.”
The case is considered sensitive because Poland is a member of the NATO alliance and the obligation to provide assistance under Article 5 is provided for in the event of an attack on an alliance partner. However, the alliance decides on a case-by-case basis whether this comes into force. It would be the first time since the start of Russia’s full-scale war of aggression that the attacker’s missiles would hit NATO territory. (tsp/dpa)