Stoltenberg says Poland blast likely caused by Ukrainian air defense missile
NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said this after a meeting of the North Atlantic Council, according to an Ukrinform correspondent.
"The investigation into this incident is ongoing and we need to await its outcome. But we have no indication that this was the result of a deliberate attack and we have no indication that Russia is preparing offensive military actions against NATO. Our preliminary analysis suggests that the incident was likely caused by a Ukrainian air defense missile fired to defend Ukrainian territory against Russian cruise missile attacks. But let me clear: this is not Ukraine's fault. Russia bears ultimate responsibility as it continues its illegal war against Ukraine," Stoltenberg said.
He said that NATO allies expressed their deepest condolences on the tragic loss of life and expressed their strong solidarity with Poland.
NATO's Supreme Allied Commander, General Christopher Cavoli, briefed the meeting of the North Atlantic Council, and Poland's Ambassador to NATO, Tomasz Szatkowski, updated Allies on the incident and the ongoing investigation.
Stoltenberg noted that yesterday's explosion on the border with Ukraine took place as Russia launched a massive wave of rocket attacks across Ukraine. He added that since the start of Russia's illegal war in Ukraine, NATO has increased vigilance across our eastern flank.
"We made clear that we will continue to support Ukraine in its right to self-defense. Russia must stop this senseless war," he said.
On November 15, Russia launched a massive missile attack on targets across Ukraine and continued its deliberate attempts to destroy the country’s critical civilian infrastructure.
Two people were killed in an explosion in the Polish village of Przewodów, Hrubeszów County, Lublin Voivodeship, not far from the Ukrainian border, on Tuesday, November 15. The investigation into the incident is ongoing.
