Wednesday 16 November 2022 07:44 AM World leaders plot response after missile hits Poland, killing two trends now
World leaders are today scrambling to clarify what happened after a missile hit NATO-member Poland and killed two people, sparking fears the alliance could be drawn into the Ukraine war and a direct confrontation with Russia.
Polish President Andrzej Duda said overnight that the missile which hit a grain processing facility in the eastern town of Przewodow late Tuesday appears to be 'Russian-made', though that leaves open the possibility it was fired by Ukrainian air defence which uses Soviet-era rockets. Poland's military has been placed on high alert.
Meanwhile Joe Biden, speaking after an emergency meeting of NATO leaders at the G20 summit in Indonesia, said it appears the missile was not fired 'from Russia' - leaving open the possibility that it was fired by Russian aircraft outside the country's borders. Biden stressed that investigations are ongoing.
American intelligence sources said preliminary data points to the rocket which struck Poland being a Ukrainian air-defence missile fired at an incoming Russian munition, but nobody was willing to go on-record with that information early Wednesday. The strike came amid a huge Russian bombardment on Ukraine.
Poland is likely to call a meeting today based on NATO Article 4, which is triggered by an ally that feels under threat and calls for discussions on that threat. It is a step short of Article 5, which is triggered by an ally under attack and calls for a joint military response to that attack.
British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and French President Emmanuel Macron have expressed solidarity with Poland but urged calm. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said allies would 'remain closely coordinated in the days ahead as the investigation proceeds and we determine appropriate next steps.'
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, speaking overnight, pointed the finger of blame directly at Moscow - calling it a 'Russian missile attack on collective security' and a 'very serious escalation'. The Kremlin has denied all responsibility, describing the allegations as 'a provocation'.
Twin explosions hit Przewodów, a rural village located five miles from the Ukrainian border in south western Poland. The aftermath of the explosions, which killed two, is pictured
A chunk of metal is pictured lying in the dirt after Russian missiles landed on Polish soil and killed two. Some commentators have claimed the debris looks similar to components of the S-300 air defence system employed in Ukraine, but Poland's foreign ministry confirmed the missile was Russian
Smoke rises in the distance, amid reports of two explosions, seen from Nowosiolki, Poland, near the border with Ukraine November 15, 2022
Missiles hit the village of Przewodow, five miles into Poland across the Ukrainian border, on Tuesday afternoon, killing two
The dramatic development came on another day of bloodshed and destruction in Ukraine, with more than 100 Russian missiles landing in major population centres, killing three and cutting the power supply to millions.
Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky spoke by phone Tuesday with Polish counterpart Andrzej Duda, offering his condolences following reports of the alleged Russian missile strike on Polish soil.
'Expressed condolences over the death of Polish citizens from Russian missile terror. We exchanged available information and are clarifying all the facts. Ukraine, Poland, all of Europe and the world must be fully protected from terrorist Russia,' Zelensky said in a tweet.
NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg said on Twitter: 'Spoke with President Duda about the explosion in Poland. I offered my condolences for the loss of life. NATO is monitoring the situation and Allies are closely consulting. Important that all facts are established.'
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen meanwhile declared: 'Alarmed by reports of an explosion in Poland, following a massive Russian missile strike on Ukrainian cities. I extend my condolences and my strongest message of support and solidarity with Poland and our Ukrainian friends,' adding she was in close contact with Polish security officials.
British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak in a tweet said Britain will support allies as they establish what happened.
'We are also coordinating with our international partners, including NATO,' Sunak said.
French president Emmanuel Macron said: 'The consequences of this conflict go beyond European borders'.
Latvian deputy prime minister Artis Pabriks tweeted: 'My condolences to our Polish brothers in arms. Criminal Russian regime fired missiles which target not only Ukrainian civilians
