November 15, 2022
… we don’t have any information at this time to corroborate those reports and are looking into this further.
Pentagon Press Secretary Brig. Gen. Pat Ryder on reports that Russian missiles allegedly landed in Poland, a NATO member and key United States ally, killing two people.
What Happened: On Tuesday afternoon, The Associated Press reported that two Russian missiles fell into Poland, according to an unnamed senior U.S. intelligence official and a second person who spoke to The AP. U.S. officials at the Pentagon and State Department have said they currently do not have information to corroborate this report. State Dept. spokesperson Vedant Patel said the U.S. is looking into the situation and working with the Polish government “and other partners” to determine what happened and the “appropriate next steps.”
Why It Matters: If this information is confirmed, it would mark the first time Russian missiles have landed in a NATO country during the Ukraine War. NATO is the largest military alliance in the world (with 30 member countries) and is based on “collective defense,” meaning that “an attack against one Ally is considered as an attack against all Allies” (NATO). Polish government spokesman Piotr Mueller has “confirmed that an explosion had killed two people and said some military units were put on alert while officials investigated” (The Associated Press).
- Russia has denied any involvement in the situation. It remains unclear whether this was a miscalculation or a calculated attack.
- As of October 31, there were “approximately 10,000 U.S. personnel are on rotation in Poland,” according to the U.S. State Department.
*This is a developing story.*
AP source: Russian missiles cross into Poland during strike (The Associated Press)
Russia-Ukraine War: Explosion Reported in Poland Near Ukraine (The New York Times)
Readout of President Joe Biden’s Call with President Andrzej Duda of Poland (The White House)
WATCH: Pentagon Press Secretary Air Force Brig. Gen. Pat Ryder briefs the news media at the Pentagon.
WATCH: Department of State Daily Press Briefing – November 15, 2022
by Jenna Lee,
