A number of Russian missiles have been spotted incurring into Polish airspace, but now the motive behind the invasions has been unearthed, only heightening fears of war
The true nature of Russia’s missiles entering Polish airspace has been unearth. Reports are now suggesting that the warheads were originally targeting a NATO airbase due to be helping Ukraine.
During a barrage of strikes Russia inflicted on Ukraine, several missiles were seen crossing the border into Poland before turning back. With Poland in NATO, tensions were massively raised as fears of all-out war between NATO and Russia edged ever closer, while Russia’s war with Ukraine grinds on.
It has now emerged that five of the drones that were used in the attacks on major Ukrainian cities were also “on a direct path” to a base actively helping Kyiv in its war effort. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said the aim of the drones was to secretly disrupt Ukraine’s air defence supplies ahead of a tense winter of conflict.
In total, five drones were seen crossing into Polish airspace on Wednesday morning (September 10), prompting Warsaw to shoot the drones down. This incursion into NATO territory triggered NATO’s Article 4 protocol, which brings NATO the closest yet to war.
As a result of the incident, this marks the first time since Russia began its full scale invasion of Ukraine in February of 2022 that NATO forces have engaged with Russian artillery. The Sun has now reported that some of the Russian dictator’s drones were headed straight towards where Poland is sending its arms to Ukraine directly.
Speaking to German newspaper Die Welt, a high-ranking officer within the alliance explained: “Based on current information, we assume that the drones most likely intentionally entered NATO airspace.” President Zelenskyy accused Russia of sending in the drones deliberately to “test” how NATO would respond.
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer addressed the public following talks with both Poland and Ukraine, saying that it would refuse to bow down to Putin’s intimidation. He added that NATO would “defend every inch” of land belonging to the allies.
As well as this, Defence Secretary John Healy slammed Vladimir Putin’s provocations as “reckless, dangerous and unprecedented” after meeting with his French, German and Italian counterparts. Poland’s defence minister was also due to appear for talks as part of the so-called E5 group, but had to divert as a result of the security crisis.
Healy blasted Moscow, saying: “Following our discussions today, I’ve asked our UK Armed Forces to look at options to bolster NATO’s air defence over Poland.” Currently, around 300 British troops are stationed in Poland as part of its “regular policing mission”, but Healy said the UK would “do what we can” to strength Polish military in whatever way they could.
As a result of the moves, more British troops could be sent to Poland in order to secure the border. This would be not only with Ukraine, but also that of Russia itself, as it shares a small land border with Poland with the region of Kaliningrad.
For its part, the Kremlin has categorically denied sending drones over the Polish border, explaining that there was no evidence the drones involved were Russian. They even implied that the missiles were brought over the border by Kyiv.
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