Report: Russia Fires Missiles Into NATO Member Poland, Killing Two Civilians

On Tuesday, Russia reportedly fired missiles into Poland, a member of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), killing two people.

“Russia pounded Ukraine’s energy facilities Tuesday with its biggest barrage of missiles yet, striking targets across the country and causing widespread blackouts. A senior U.S. intelligence official said missiles crossed into NATO member Poland, where two people were killed,” the Associated Press reported.

“A second person told The Associated Press that apparent Russian missiles struck a site in Poland about 15 miles from the Ukrainian border,” the Associated Press added. “If confirmed, the strike would mark the first time in the war that Russian weapons have come down on a NATO country.”

Russia’s Defense Ministry has denied any involvement in the incident, saying on Telegram that any statements by Polish officials or media outlets about Russian missiles hitting the village were a “deliberate provocation.”

“No strikes on targets near the Ukrainian-Polish state border were made,” the Russian ministry claimed.

Piotr Mueller, a spokesman for the Polish government, confirmed the explosion and that two Polish citizens had been killed, but said that the cause was still under investigation. However, according to the New York Times, he also said that “special procedures had been put in place, including putting certain military units at a higher alert” and that “the Polish government was also examining the possibility of triggering Article 4 of the NATO charter, under which members can consult with one another when a nation feels its territorial integrity or security has been threatened.”

At a press conference, the U.S. Department of Defense said that they had not yet been able to confirm the report.

“We are aware of the press reports alleging that two Russian missiles have struck a location inside Poland near the Ukraine border,” Pentagon spokesperson Brig. Gen. Patrick Ryder said. “I can tell you that we don’t have any information at this time to corroborate those reports and are looking into this further.”

Ryder added, “When it comes to our security commitments and Article 5, we’ve been crystal clear that we will defend every inch of NATO territory.”