Russian missiles reportedly cross into Poland, killing two
Russian missiles killed two people after crossing into Poland, according to a U.S. intelligence official, sparking fears of an escalation of the war in Ukraine.
A Polish official confirmed the strike to the Washington Post, which also reported that Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki has summoned a meeting of the country’s defense and security leaders.
The missiles reportedly killed two people near a grain silo in a village on the Ukraine border.
Pentagon press secretary Brig. Gen. Pat Ryder said he was “aware” of reports that missiles had struck inside Poland.
“I can tell you that we don’t have any information at this time to corroborate those reports and are looking into this further,” he said.
It’s unclear whether the strike was intentional or a mistake, and the Kremlin has yet to comment on the situation.
Poland, unlike Ukraine, is a NATO member, meaning that an attack on the country would theoretically trigger Article 5 and prompt a full military response from the alliance.
President Biden has repeatedly said that the U.S. will not directly engage in Ukraine but that it would defend “every inch” of NATO territory.
“We have a sacred obligation,” he said during a speech in Poland in March. “We have a sacred obligation under Article 5 to defend each and every inch of NATO territory with the full force of our collective power.”
Latvia’s defense minister, Artis Pabriks, sent his condolences to “our Polish brothers in arms” in a tweet Tuesday afternoon, accusing the “Criminal Russian regime” of firing the missiles.
“My first reaction would be that after Russians hit Polish territory, 4. Article is in place, just like air defence of Ukrainian air,” he wrote.
Article 4 allows NATO members to bring an issue of concern to the table for discussion among the full alliance.
Associated Press contributed reporting
Updated: 2:48 p.m.
Source: TEST FEED1
