NATO probes as reports say Russian missiles hit Poland, killing 2 | Top Updates


Two people were reportedly killed in an explosion in Poland – a NATO country- near Ukrainian border, news agency AP reported on Wednesday as NATO allies investigated reports that the blast resulted from Russian missiles.

The Associated Press, citing a senior US intelligence official, said the blast was due to Russian missiles crossing into Poland. The Pentagon, however, said it was unable to corroborate the reports and that it was investigating the claims.

The White House also said it could not confirm reports coming out of Poland and was working with the Polish government to gather more information.

Here are the top 5 updates:

1) The NATO military alliance said it was “looking into” unconfirmed reports that Russian missiles may have struck Poland and working closely with member Warsaw, an official said. “We are looking into these reports and closely coordinating with our ally Poland,” the official was quoted as saying.

2) Russia has denied reports that their missiles had hit Polish territory. In a statement on Telegram, Moscow’s defence minister said, “Statements by Polish media and officials about Russian missiles hitting Polish territory are a deliberate provocation aimed at escalating the situation.”

3) Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky said Russian missiles hitting Poland was a “significant escalation” of the conflict. Russian missiles hit Poland,” Zelensky said but did not provide evidence of the strikes.

“The longer Russia feels impunity, the more threats there will be to anyone within reach of Russian missiles. To fire missiles at NATO territory! This is a Russian missile attack on collective security! This is a very significant escalation. We must act,” Zelensky added.

4) Reports that Russian missiles have crossed into Poland near the Ukrainian border are “incredibly concerning,” US State Department deputy spokesperson Vedant Patel said, adding that Washington is working to determine what happened and appropriate next steps.

5) Poland has called emergency meetings of its national security council and cabinet amid the reports, “Due to the crisis situation, Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki… called a meeting of the National Security Bureau,” government spokesman Piotr Muller told reporters.

(With AP, AFP, Reuters inputs)